POPE SAYS MOST CRUCIAL NEED IN WAKE OF SCANDAL IS THE 'CONVERSION' OF BISHOPS

Zenit via Spirit Daily ^

[narses]

Reform Calls for Holy Bishops, Says John Paul II

Addresses a Group of Visiting U.S. Prelates

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 2, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The necessary reform of the Church in the United States calls above all for the "interior renewal" and "conversion" of bishops, says John Paul II.

In a meeting today with the pastors of the ecclesiastical provinces of Atlanta and Miami, the Pope indicated the first challenge that the U.S. Catholic community faces, shaken by the scandals attributed to priests, is "the renewal of the episcopal office."

"The history of the Church demonstrates that there can be no effective reform without interior renewal. This is true not only of individuals, but also of every group and institution in the Church," the Holy Father told the bishops, who were on their five-yearly visit to Rome.

"In the life of every bishop," he continued, "the challenge of interior renewal must involve an integral understanding of his service as 'pastor gregis' (pastor of the flock), entrusted by Christ's will with a specific ministry of pastoral governance in the Church and the responsibility and apostolic power which accompany that ministry."

Therefore, the "apostolic authority" of the bishop "must be seen first and foremost as a religious witness to the risen Lord, to the truth of the Gospel, and to the mystery of salvation present and at work in the Church," the Pope said.

"The renewal of the Church is thus closely linked to the renewal of the episcopal office," he said. "Since the bishop is called in a unique way to be an 'alter Christus' (another Christ), a vicar of Christ in and for his local Church, he must be the first to conform his life to Christ in holiness and constant conversion."

The Holy Father added: "Only by himself putting on the mind of Christ and acquiring a fresh, spiritual way of thinking, will he [the bishop] be able to carry out effectively his role as a successor of the apostles, the guide of the faith community, and the coordinator of those charisms and missions which the Holy Spirit constantly pours out upon the Church."

[narses]

Viva Il Papa!

[GirlShortstop]

"Only by himself putting on the mind of Christ and acquiring a fresh, spiritual way of thinking, will he [the bishop] be able to carry out effectively his role as a successor of the apostles, the guide of the faith community, and the coordinator of those charisms and missions which the Holy Spirit constantly pours out upon the Church."

May God continue to bless John Paul II and all the faithful.

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[netmilsmom]

This is nothing but words.

[NYer]

Viva Il Papa! Cent' Anni!

[narses]

"This is nothing but words."

They are the correct words uttered by the Vicar of Christ to the Bishops who lead the often disfunctional Churches of America. HH is acting publicly to admonish their Excellencies to pray, think and act like Good Shepherds. Words, yes. But words from the man at the top, even in secular organizations, can have meaning. Here, where the very Vicar of Christ speaks with the Authority of God to the Ministers of God, I have to believe they are more than "just" words. The Boss is, was and always will be God. His Will be done.

[narses]

Amen.

[Aquinasfan]

The necessary reform of the Church in the United States calls above all for the "interior renewal" and "conversion" of bishops, says John Paul II.

He knows.

I wonder how the discussion about Kerry is going.

[netmilsmom]

>> But words from the man at the top, even in secular organizations, can have meaning. Here, where the very Vicar of Christ speaks with the Authority of God to the Ministers of God, I have to believe....<<

I will believe when Pilla is pulled out of Cleveland. Until then, they are words.

[narses]

I understand. Bp. Pilla will go, either by action of the Vatican or the Holy Ghost. I am certain.

[Desdemona]

The big man knows more than most give him credit for.

Thank Heaven. A challenge to the bishops, finally.

[Desdemona]

I will believe when Pilla is pulled out of Cleveland.

Patience. Cleveland has less than four years left with Pilla. Think of the poor people in Los Angeles. There're stuck.

[netmilsmom]

>>Cleveland has less than four years left with Pilla. Think of the poor people in Los Angeles. There're stuck.<<

And none of these empty words from JPII are going to help.

[GirlShortstop]

I will believe when Pilla is pulled out of Cleveland. Until then, they are words.

From my personal experience, hanging on to "beliefs" like that can harm you spiritually netmil.  Hope should never be forfeited.

Look at the theological virtues:  

C. Theological Virtues

All virtues have as their final scope to dispose man to acts conducive to his true happiness. The happiness, however, of which man is capable is twofold, namely, natural, which is attainable by man's natural powers, and supernatural, which exceeds the capacity of unaided human nature. Since, therefore, merely natural principles of human action are inadequate to a supernatural end, it is necessary that man be endowed with supernatural powers to enable him to attain his final destiny. Now these supernatural principles are nothing else than the theological virtues. They are called theological

1. because they have God for their immediate and proper object;
2. because they are Divinely infused;
3. because they are known only through Divine Revelation.

The theological virtues are three, viz. faith, hope, and charity.....

Hope

But not only man's intellect must be perfected with regard to his supernatural end, his will also must tend to that end, as a good possible of attainment. Now the virtue, by which the will is so perfected, is the theological virtue of hope. It is commonly defined as a Divinely infused virtue, by which we trust, with an unshaken confidence grounded on the Divine assistance, to attain life everlasting.

[narses]

"And none of these empty words from JPII are going to help."

Please don't fall into despair. Read Job. God's Will be done.

[GirlShortstop]

Patience.   Amen Sister!

I should have included you in my last post's ping, I'm sorry.

[GirlShortstop]

Amen.

Do you know how very good that sounds?

There are too many debates, many with a seemingly impossibilty to an ending like this.  does that make sense?
Pax et bonum.

[ninenot]

"...despair..."

The first words of Lucifer in "The Passion of The Christ" were meant to engender despair. "No one...can save them..."

You hit it on the head with your analysis, Narses (as did Gibson, of course)