Pope John Paul II

• Priests: Granted the Gift of Celibacy through Humble Prayer
  March 10, 2006
  
  
• Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2005
  Pope John Paul II March 18, 2005
  My thoughts turn to you, dear priests, as I spend this time recuperating in hospital, a patient alongside other patients, uniting in the Eucharist my own sufferings with those of Christ. In this spirit I want to reflect with you on some aspects of our priestly spirituality.
  
• Papal Address to Bishops of Minnesota, and North and South Dakota
  Pope John Paul II December 10, 2004
  Can we not see in the pain and scandal of recent years both a "sign of the times" (cf. Matthew 16:3) and a providential call to conversion and deeper fidelity to the demands of the Gospel? In the life of each believer and the life of the whole Church, a sincere examination of conscience and the recognition of failure is always accompanied by renewed confidence in the healing power of Gods grace and a summons to press on to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13).
  
• Papal Address to Prelates of Dubuque, Kansas City, Omaha and St. Louis
  Pope John Paul II November 26, 2004
  The daily strengthening of this spiritual and hierarchical communion within the diocesan presbyterate is a primary and essential task of each bishop. The Council in fact exhorted bishops to be particularly concerned for the welfare of their priests, treating them as sons and friends, and constantly cultivating that supernatural charity which brings about a union of wills in the service of the People of God (cf. "Christus Dominus," 16, 28).
  
• Pope's Address to Bishops of New York State
  Pope John Paul II October 08, 2004
  "The title of Bishop is one of service, not of honor, and therefore a Bishop should strive to benefit others rather than to lord it over them. Such is the precept of the Master" (Roman Pontifical, Rite of Ordination of a Bishop: Homily; cf. "Pastores Gregis," 43).
  
• Pope's Address to Bishops of Episcopal Conference of the Pacific
  Pope John Paul II September 19, 2004
  I associate myself to you, praying for your priests and expressing to them my profound gratitude and lively encouragement. To priests who, for various reasons, were not able to live the exigencies of their ministry, I remind them that God , who is rich in mercy and full of love, calls them every day to return to him. Finally, remind all your priests of my profound affection for them!
  
• Pope's Address to Bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
  Pope John Paul II September 12, 2004
  Many of you have expressed your concern about the crisis of confidence in the Churchs leadership provoked by the recent sexual abuse scandals, the general call for accountability in the Churchs governance on every level and the relations between Bishops, clergy and the lay faithful. I am convinced that today, as at every critical moment in her history, the Church will find the resources for an authentic self-renewal in the wisdom, vision and zeal of Bishops outstanding for their holiness.
  
• John Paul II’s Address to U.S. Bishops of Boston and Hartford
  Pope John Paul II September 02, 2004
  In a very real way the renewal of the Church is linked to the renewal of the priesthood (cf. Optatam Totius, 1). For this reason I ask you to make every effort to be present as a father and a brother in the midst of your priests, to show heartfelt gratitude for their ministry, to join them frequently in prayer and to encourage them in fidelity to their noble vocation as men completely consecrated to the service of the Lord and his Church. In a word, tell your priests that I hold them in my heart!
  
• Papal Address to Bishops of Rocky Mountains Region
  Pope John Paul II June 04, 2004
  I urge you therefore to be close to your priests and people: Imitate the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and calls each by name. Inspired by the great pastors who have gone before us, like Saint Charles Borromeo, your visiting and careful listening to your brother priests and the faithful, and your direct contact with the marginalized, will be "quasi anima episcopalis regiminis."
  
• Pope's Address to Bishops of California, Nevada and Hawaii
  Pope John Paul II May 14, 2004
  It demands a pattern of life that unequivocally rejects any temptation to ostentation, careerism or the recourse to secular models of leadership and instead requires you to bear witness to the kenosis of Christ, in pastoral charity, humility and simplicity of life (cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 387; "Ecclesia in America," 28). Walking in the presence of the Lord, you will grow in a holiness lived with and for your priests and people, inspiring in them the desire to embrace the high standards of Christian life and guiding them along the footsteps of Christ.
  
• Pope's Address to Bishops of Ecclesiastical Provinces of Detroit and Cincinnati
  Pope John Paul II May 06, 2004
  It demands of you, in the first place, an ever closer relationship with your priests, who through sacramental ordination are sharers with you in the one priesthood of Christ and in the one apostolic mission entrusted to his Church (cf. "Christus Dominus," 11). Each Bishop should constantly strive to relate to them "as a father and brother who loves them, listens to them, welcomes them, corrects them, supports them, seeks their cooperation and, as much as possible, is concerned for their human, spiritual, ministerial and financial well-being" ("Pastores Gregis," 47).
  
• Pope's Homily at Ordination of 26 Priests
  Pope John Paul II May 02, 2004
  Jesus must always be the center of your life and you must remain in intimate union with him through prayer, daily personal meditation, faithfulness to the Liturgy of the Hours and especially the daily devout celebration of the Eucharist.
  
• John Paul II's Holy Thursday Letter to Priests
  Pope John Paul II April 06, 2004
  The ordained ministry, which may never be reduced to its merely functional aspect since it belongs on the level of "being," enables the priest to act "in persona Christi" and culminates in the moment when he consecrates the bread and wine, repeating the actions and words of Jesus during the Last Supper.
  
• Pope's Address to a Group of U.S. Bishops
  Pope John Paul II April 02, 2004
  Our meetings are taking place at a difficult time in the history of the Church in the United States. Many of you have already spoken to me of the pain caused by the sexual abuse scandal of the past two years and the urgent need for rebuilding confidence and promoting healing between bishops, priests and the laity in your country. I am confident that the willingness which you have shown in acknowledging and addressing past mistakes and failures, while at the same time seeking to learn from them, will contribute greatly to this work of reconciliation and renewal. This time of purification will, by Gods grace, lead to "a holier priesthood, a holier episcopate and a holier Church" (Address to American Cardinals and Bishops, 23 April 2002, 4), a Church ever more convinced of the truth of the Christian message, the redemptive power of the Cross of Christ, and the need for unity, fidelity and conviction in bearing witness to the Gospel before the world.
  
• John Paul II's Address to Australian Bishops
  Pope John Paul II March 26, 2004
  The "communion" that exists between a Bishop and his priests demands that the well-being of the presbyterate be close to every Bishops heart. I encourage you always to listen to your priests, as a father would listen to a son.
  
• Pope says "scandalous" priests must be confronted
  Reuters, Vatican City March 08, 2004
  Pope John Paul said on Monday that scandalous behaviour among Catholic priests must be "confronted and corrected" and stressed the need for celibacy. "(Priests) are called to be detached from material things and to devote themselves to the service of others through the complete gift of self in celibacy," the 83-year-old pope said.
  
• Pope: Be Fair To Priests
  Associate Press February 26, 2004
  John Paul said current church law — if fairly applied — "tends to guarantee the exercise of the right of defense of the accused as well as the needs of the common good." Once there is evidence of a crime, church authorities must consider "the just principle of proportionality between guilt and punishment, as well as the predominant need to protect the people of God," he said.
  
• John Paul II's Address to Bishops of Sudan
  Pope John Paul II December 15, 2003
  I urge you always to cherish your priests with a special love and to regard them as precious co-workers and friends (cf. "Christus Dominus," No. 16). Scandalous behavior must at all times be investigated, confronted and corrected. With your friendship and fraternal support, as well as that of their brother priests, it will be easier for your clergy to be wholly devoted, in chastity and simplicity, to their ministry of service.
  
• John Paul II's Address to Bishops of England and Wales
  Pope John Paul II October 23, 2003
  Assure your priests that the Christian faithful -- indeed society at large -- depend upon and are greatly appreciative of them. I am confident in this regard that you will show them your special affection by accompanying them as fathers and brothers along all the stages of their ministerial life (cf. "Pastores Gregis," 47).
  
• Pastores Gregis
  Pope John Paul II October 16, 2003
  In the present social context, the Bishop needs to remain particularly close to his flock and above all to his priests, showing a fathers concern for their ascetic and spiritual difficulties, and providing them with appropriate support to encourage them in fidelity to their vocation and to the requirements of an exemplary life in the exercise of the ministry. In cases of grave lapses, and even more of crimes which do damage to the very witness of the Gospel, especially when these involve the Churchs ministers, the Bishop must be firm and decisive, just and impartial. He is bound to intervene in a timely manner, according to the established canonical norms, for the correction and spiritual good of the sacred minister, for the reparation of scandal and the restoration of justice, and for all that is required for the protection and assistance of victims.
  
• Papal Address to Ugandan Bishops
  Pope John Paul II September 22, 2003
  With regard to the loneliness that can sometimes accompany the pastoral ministry, your priests should be encouraged, as much as the local situation permits, to live in common and direct their efforts entirely towards the sacred ministry. They should come together as often as possible -- both among themselves and with you, their spiritual father -- for a fraternal exchange of ideas, counsel and fellowship (cf. "Pastores Dabo Vobis," 74).
  

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