Benedict XVI’s decision to retire and live a life dedicated to prayer is an important lesson for the world’s priests, Pope Francis has said.
In retirement, Benedict XVI shows “in an even clearer way” the core of priestly ministry is a life fully immersed in God, something “that deacons, priests and bishops must never forget”, Pope Francis writes in the preface to a new book by his predecessor.
“The primary and most important service is not the management of ‘day-to-day business’, but praying for others without interruption, body and soul, exactly like the Pope Emeritus does today – constantly immersed in God.”
The book, To Teach and Learn God’s Love, was to be released on June 29, the 65th anniversary of Pope Benedict’s ordination to the priesthood. Francis was scheduled to join the Pope Emeritus in celebrating the anniversary the day before in the Apostolic Palace.
The new book, a collection of homilies on the priesthood, is to be published in English by Ignatius Press.
In the preface Pope Francis says that every time he reads Benedict’s writings, it becomes more and more clear how Benedict followed and still practises “theology on his knees”.
“On his knees because, before being a tremendous theologian and teacher of the faith, you see that he is a man who truly believes, who truly prays. You see that he is a man who embodies holiness, a man of peace, a man of God.” Benedict “exemplarily embodies the heart of all priestly action”, which is to be deeply rooted in God, he says.
“Prayer is the decisive factor,” Francis writes. “Without prayer, the world very quickly loses not only its bearings but also the authentic source of life.”
Churches forced to pay for abortions in health plans
A US federal agency has ruled that California can continue to demand that all health plans under state jurisdiction – “even those purchased by churches and other religious organisations” – cover elective abortions for any reason. The coverage includes late-term abortions and “those performed for reasons of ‘sex selection’ ”.
The chairmen of two US Catholic bishops’ committees said the ruling issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fails to respect the right to life and religious freedom.
“It is shocking that HHS has allowed the state of California to force all employers – even churches – to fund and facilitate elective abortions in their health insurance plans,” said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore.
“Even those who disagree on the issue of life should be able to respect the conscience rights of those who wish not to be involved in supporting abortion,” they said in a statement.
The chairmen urged Congress to act immediately to pass the Conscience Protection Act that was proposed last March.
Vatican: no word from Bishop Ma
The Vatican has said it has had no contact with Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai but is following his case. Bishop Ma, under house arrest for four years, recanted his criticism of China’s state-run church last month. Fr Federico Lombardi said his life, “like that of all Chinese Catholics, is followed with particular care and concern by [Pope Francis] who remembers them daily in prayer”.
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