(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 10.05.2024).- The Holy See Press Office made known Pope Francis’ mandate to the parish priests attending the meeting “Parish Priests for the Synod,” which was held in Vatican City at the beginning of May. The Holy Father gave them the mandate to be missionaries of synodality and he also gave them some guidelines. Here is ZENIT’s translation of the Pope’s original address in Italian.
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Photo: Vatican Media
I have something to ask of you, who have come here representing the parishes of all the world: we need your help to continue hearing the voice of parish priests, in view of the Second Session of the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. This meeting was very important, but it’s not enough: we must do more if we want to incorporate more priests in the synodal dynamism. And this cannot be done only by the Synod’s General Secretariat and the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, which have organized this meeting.
Hence, I ask you today to be missionaries of synodality with your brother parish priests once you return home, encouraging reflection on the renewal of the parish priest’s ministry in a synodal and missionary key, promoting moments of conversation in the Spirit among the parish priests, in person or online, taking advantage of an already organized meeting, or organizing one especially with this end. And then, I ask you to inform the Synod’s Secretariat of the fruits of these meetings, following the instructions that will be given to you. When you go back home, talk about this idea with your Bishops and the Episcopal Conferences, and tell them also that it’s a task that the Pope has entrusted to you.
For my part, I have written a letter to all the parish priests of the world, to inform them about this initiative and to introduce you to them as missionaries of synodality. Now I’ll sign it and each one of you will be given a copy for you to distribute when you return home.
Thank you for your collaboration. I will accompany you with my prayers and you too, don’t forget to pray for me.
Pope Francis
Photo: Vatican Media
Translation into Spanish of the Italian original by ZENIT’s Editorial Director and, into English, by Virginia M. Forrester
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