Pope meets with Italian Bishops'
Conference
Pope Francis on Monday met with members of the Italian
Bishops' Conference, sharing with them three of his concerns - Crisis of
vocations, Evangelical poverty and transparency, and Reduction and merging of
dioceses.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis on Monday night addressed the Bishops of Italy,
who are gathered at the Vatican for the annual meeting of the Italian Bishops
Conference (Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, the “CEI”).
In his speech to the Bishops, the Holy Father spoke about
several issues he is concerned about, stressing that he didn’t want to “beat
them over the heads,” but to share his concerns so that they can be discussed
by the ecclesial body. He emphasized that his thoughts were meant to be part of
a discussion, with the Bishops responding with their own questions, anxieties,
inspirations, and even criticisms – “It is not a sin to criticize the Pope
here!” he said. “It is not a sin, it can be done.”
The Pope highlighted three main concerns: the crisis in
vocations; evangelical poverty and transparency; and the reduction and
consolidation of dioceses.
With regard to vocations, the Pope encouraged the Italian
Bishops to be generous in sharing vocations, which he described as a gift of
faith. Speaking of the need for transparency and evangelical poverty, he
reminded them that their conduct with regard to the goods of the Church must be
exemplary, as they will one day give an account of their administration. And concerning
the reduction and consolidation of dioceses, he said this can and must be done,
although with pastoral consideration for all those involved, especially in
places where the people feel abandoned.
“These are my three preoccupations, Pope Francis said,
“which I wanted to share with you as suggestions for reflection." And a he
left them to consider his remarks, he thanked them for parrhesia,
their willingness to speak openly and freely.
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