The Pope has warned against vanity, pride and arrogance at an episcopal ordination in St. Peter’s basilica.
During the Eucharistic celebration on Saturday of Msgr. Fabio Fabene, under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops, the Pope said extemporaneously: “You have been chosen by the flock: may vanity, pride and arrogance never come to you. And you have been constituted by men: may your attitude always be one of service, like Jesus.”
The Pope added: “I advise you to keep before you the words of Paul that we have heard: Keep watch over yourselves and keep watch over God’s flock. This watchfulness means keeping vigil, being attentive, to defend yourself from many sins and many worldly attitudes, and to defend the people of God from the wolves that Paul said would come.”
Francis stressed that overseeing the people “also means praying, praying for the people, as Moses did: with raised hands, that prayer of intercession, that courageous prayer, face-to-face with the Lord, for the people”.
He also reminded the new bishop to pay great attention to those who do not belong to Christ’s single flock, as they too have been entrusted to him by the Lord. “And pray for them”, he added.
Finally, he emphasised that, by virtue of his mission, the prelate must be show concern for all the Churches, generously assisting those most in need. He concluded, “I think that this will be easy for you, considering the task that has been entrusted to you in the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops”.
