Pope in Colombia spells out priorities for the clergy
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| Pope Francis participates in an activity for priests, regilious members and their families at La Macarena stadium in Medellin, Colombia.- REUTERS |
(Vatican Radio) Some 12,000 priests, men and women
religious, consecrated laypeople and seminarians with
their families crowded into Medellin’s “La Macarena” event centre
on Friday to listen to Pope Francis’ thoughts, proposals and
instructions regarding their ministry.
On the podium, the relics of Saint Mother Laura Montoya, a
nun who was the first female Colombian Saint. Canonized by Pope Francis himself
in 2013, Mother Laura was a teacher and prolific author who hosted classes in
her own home when the 1895 civil war in Colombia forced schools to close.
And in the presence of the relics of this inspiring figure,
the Pope put his long text of prepared
remarks aside, and engaged with his audience who rose to the occasion
reacting enthusiastically to his exhortations and comments.
In a town – Medellin – which used to be the reign of the
powerful drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar, Pope Francis pointed his finger
against the drug traffickers of today who, he said, continue to destroy the
lives of so many young people.
He asked those present to pray for a conversion of the
hearts of the traffickers, to ask forgiveness to the Lord for having ruined the
lives of so many boys and girls, and to accompany the new generations on a path
of rebirth and hope.
He touched on a theme that is dear to him warning the clergy
that the devil too often finds its way into their hearts “through their
wallets.”
“That’s how corruption spreads, he said, never be attached
to material things.”
He told them it is not possible to serve both God and wealth
and urged them never to take advantage of their condition as religious and of
the generosity of the faithful in order to be served or to obtain material
riches.
And in a powerful condemnation of clerical sex abuse, Pope
Francis decried “the poison of lies and hidden things”, the manipulation
and abuse of God’s people, of the most fragile of God’s people, especially the
elderly and children.
This poison, he said, “must find no space in our
communities,” every dead branch must be severed.
Pope Francis concluded his animated address reminding all
those who have received a spiritual vocation never to forget the joy with which
they must live their mission.
In Colombia with Pope Francis, I’m Linda Bordoni.
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