In a new book, Cardinal Robert Serra calls priests to spiritual renewal, saying that it will not come through the structural changes,
but through rediscovering the priests' mission and identity as the presence of Christ in the world.
Christ never created structures. Of course, I'm not saying that they aren't necessary.
Organization is useful in society, but it is not first, Cardinal Sarah said in a November 16th interview with a French Catholic magazine.
What is first is the very first word of Christ, in the Gospel of Mark, convert and believe in the Gospel.
The book, currently available only in French, includes passages from saints and the Church Fathers.
to encourage meditation on the renewal of the priesthood, which, according to the Cardinal,
is a necessary step on the way to resolving the crisis in the Catholic Church.
If priests and society look to God, then I think things will change.
If hearts are not changed by the Gospel, politics will not change, the economy will not change.
Human relationships will not change.
It is Christ who is our peace,
who will create more fraternal human relations
of collaboration and of cooperation.
Structures are also often a danger, because we take refuge behind them, he said.
God will not ask accounts of an episcopal conference, of a synod.
It is us bishops that he's going to hold accountable.
How did you manage your diocese? How did you love your priests?
How did you accompany them spiritually?
To get more in the story, click the link in the description to the Catholic News Agency.