Cardinals Robert Sarah, Gerhard Müller and Raymond Burke spoke at a
January 13-17 gathering of 75 priests in Rome, reports NcRegister.com
(photo : Edward Pentin). It was organized by CatholicClergy.net,
representing more than 500 priests worldwide.
Cardinal Müller emphasized that priests are representatives of Jesus Christ, and not functionaries of a religious system.
Cardinal
Sarah added that priests are not immune to depression. They should
remember the beauty of their vocation and their first Holy Mass, even
when they grow older, tired or discouraged.
He warned that a subjectivism of faith, morals or worship "leads souls to hell, not to heaven".
Cardinal Sarah also denounced inappropriate behavior during the Eucharist and advocated a "reform" of the [failed] Novus Ordo.
Regarding
the Roman rite, Cardinal Sarah noted its popularity especially among
the young faithful and families: "It has a future because it has a
past." He added that it "cannot be erased or abolished overnight."
Cardinal
Burke spoke of the marginalization of Christianity in the public sphere
and encouraged the priests to "recognize the human bankruptcy of our
culture."
"The forces that would lead us down the path of cultural death by denying the Christian roots of our culture are strong."
Cardinal
Burke also urged the priests to "never lose respect" for the pope and
the bishops: "No matter how great their failings, let us never cease to
recognize and honor the apostolic office."
Noteworthy addition: A
French translation of the article on the three cardinals on
BelgiCatho.be received a comment (January 24) from retired faithful
Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, 84, of Brussels: "I join my three
confreres, whose wisdom is exemplary. May they be heard by many bishops,
priests and Catholics involved in pastoral work!"
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