Pope Francis to USG: Be radical in prophecy
(Vatican Radio) The Jesuit magazine La Civiltà
Cattolica will publish the text of Pope Francis’ conversation
with 140 Superiors General of male religious orders during the 88th
General Assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG) which took place on 25
November 2016.
An excerpt of this conversation was published on Thursday in
the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
“The Church must accompany the young in their journey
towards maturity, and it is only with discernment and not abstractions that
young people can discover their path in life and live a life open to God and
the world, so I chose this theme to introduce discernment more forcefully into
the life of the Church,” the Pope said when asked why the next General Assembly
of the Synod of Bishops is on young people.
“You have to work with young people by doing things, working
with the popular missions, social work, going every week to feed the homeless,”
– the Holy Father continued – “Young people find the Lord in action. Then,
after action they have to reflect. But reflection alone doesn’t help, because
it is only ideas ... ideas. So, two concepts: listening and movement. This is
important. But not only training young people to listen, but first listening to
them, the young people themselves. This is an important priority for the
Church: listening to young people.”
He also spoke about the falling number of vocations in
religious orders, saying it is “certainly linked to the demographic problem,”
but added “it is also true that sometimes the pastoral vocation does not
respond to the expectations of the young.”
He also expressed “worry” over some of the new religious
institutes, remarking “some of them seem to represent a new approach, to
express a great apostolic strength, attracting many, only then ... to go
bankrupt.”
He also said he was at peace with being Pope, and spoke
about his election.
“There was talk in the General Congregations [the meetings
among the Cardinals before the Conclave] of the Vatican’s problems, there was
talk of reforms. Everyone wanted them,” – Pope Francis said – “There is
corruption in the Vatican. But I’m at peace. If there is a problem, I write a
note to St. Joseph and put it under a statue that I have in my room. It is a
statue of St. Joseph sleeping. And now he sleeps on a mattress of notes! That’s
why I sleep well: it is the grace of God.”
The Pope said he believes that everyone must seek to
discover what the Lord has chosen for them.
“After all, losing peace does not help us to suffer at all,”
– he explained – “The Superiors must learn to suffer, but to suffer like a
father. And also to suffer with a great deal of humility. This is the path that
can lead from the cross to peace. But never wash your hands of problems! Yes,
in the Church there are Pontius Pilates who wash their hands to avoid
discomfort. But a superior who washes his hands is not a father, and doesn’t
help.”
When asked about the prophetic role of religious life, Pope
Francis said it was important to be “radical in prophecy.”
“Being radical in the prophecy is the famous sine glossa,
the rule sine glossa, the Gospel sine glossa,” – the Holy Father emphasized –
“In other words, without tranquillisers! The Gospel should be taken without
tranquillisers. This is what the Church Fathers did. It is in them that we
should seek the radical nature of the prophecy. They remind us that we are
called to come out of our comfort zones, forsake all that is worldly: in our
way of life, but also in thinking up new ways forward for our Institutes.”
Pope Francis also spoke about the issue of sexual abuse by
clergy and religious.
“On the subject of sexual abuse: it seems that half of those
who commit abuse have themselves been victims of abuse,” – the Holy Father said
– “Abuse is thus sowed in the future and this is devastating. If priests or
religious are involved it is clear that the devil is at work, who ruins the
work of Jesus through those who should proclaim him. But let’s be clear: this
is a disease. If we are not convinced that this is a disease, we cannot solve
the problem. So pay attention when receiving candidates for the religious life
and ensure that they are sufficiently emotionally mature. For example: never
accept in a religious community or diocese a candidate that has been rejected
by another seminar or another institute without asking for very clear and
detailed information on the reasons for their rejection.”
The full dialogue between Pope Francis and the Religious
superiors will appear in La Civiltà Cattolica on Saturday. The
excerpt published by Corriere della Sera on Thursday can be
found in English here
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