Pope Leo XIV has written an apostolic letter published Dec. 22 on fidelity and the priestly vocation, calling for renewal and ongoing formation of priests so as to cultivate deeper relationship with the Lord and devotion to His calling.
The letter was issued in observance of the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council decrees Optatam totius and Presbyterorum ordinis on priestly training and on the ministry and life of priests, respectively. Pope Leo said that the goal of the decrees was to develop a framework for the formation of future generations of priests according to the renewal promoted by Vatican II, while keeping with the ministerial identity.
Following the mandate of these decrees “involves reinvigorating the priestly ministry every day,” Pope Leo wrote, “drawing strength from its root, which is the bond between Christ and the Church, in order to become missionary disciples according to his Heart, united with all the faithful and at their service.”
Just before going into the main part of the letter, which focuses, the Pope expressed deep thankfulness for the witness and dedication of all the priests around the world who are spending their lives celebrating Mass, administering the sacraments, cultivating unity within their communities, and supporting those in need.
Any form of vocational service or commitment must have a foundation in responding to the Lord’s call, according to the Pope.
“Every vocation in the Church arises from a personal encounter with Christ, which ‘gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction,’” he wrote. “Before any commitment, personal aspiration or service, there is the voice of the Master calling: ‘Follow me’ (Mk1:17).” Remaining faithful to one’s response to this call especially during times of difficulty can be strengthened by remembering the Lord’s voice, he emphasized.
The call to the priesthood is a gift from God, Pope Leo wrote. “Indeed, a vocation is not imposed by the Lord but is instead a loving proposal to follow a plan of salvation and freedom for our lives, which we receive when we accept, with God’s grace, the Lord Jesus as the center of our lives.”
He emphasized that priests should pursue ongoing formation throughout their lives, in order to, in part, foster continued renewal in the call to the vocation.
“Fidelity to one’s calling, then, is not static or closed, but a journey of daily conversion that affirms and matures the vocation received,” he wrote.
Formation is also necessary especially in light of the abuse crisis and in light of the phenomenon of priests who leave active ministry after a few years or decades, according to the Pope.
“In recent decades, the crisis of trust in the Church caused by abuses committed by members of the clergy has filled us with shame and called us to humility. It has made us even more aware of the urgent need for a comprehensive formation that ensures the personal growth and maturity of candidates for the priesthood, together with a rich and solid spiritual life,” he said.
Regarding the issue of priests leaving ministry, Pope Leo said that “this painful reality should not be interpreted solely in legal terms, but requires us to look carefully and compassionately at the history of these brothers and the many reasons that may have led them to such a decision.”
“The appropriate response is, first and foremost, a renewed commitment to formation, whose objective is ‘a journey of growth in intimacy with the Lord. It engages the entire person, heart, mind and freedom, in order to shape him in the image of the Good Shepherd,’” he said.
Pope Leo also emphasized that the formation of the individuals on a deep human level is also crucial before making a commitment, stating that being mature and spiritually solid and capable of authentic relationships with all people are necessary before one “can take on the commitment of celibacy and credibly proclaim the Gospel of the Risen One.”
Pope Leo also reflected on priestly fraternity, highlighting that this is not an ideal or slogan but an integral part of ministerial life that should be intentionally cultivated.
Especially in the West, the fragmentation of society can be an issue in priestly life, meaning “priests are no longer part of a cohesive and believing community that, in the past, supported their ministry,” Pope Leo said. “As a result, they are more exposed to the dangers of loneliness, which dampens their apostolic zeal and can lead to a sad withdrawal into themselves.”
To remedy this the Pontiff called in part for local churches to renew commitment and efforts towards building community life. On the subject of fidelity and synodality, Pope Leo encouraged priests to move away from a model of “exclusive” leadership in the ministry — meaning feeling as though all responsibilities fall to him alone — but rather pursue an “increasingly collegial leadership” among priests, deacons, and the People of God. He also reflected on the theme of fidelity and mission, advising that the anxious, fast-paced modern world can cause an inclination “to activism,” which can jeopardize fidelity to the priestly mission.
One temptation caused by this inclination “is an efficiency-oriented mentality, whereby the value of each person is measured by performance, that is, by the quantity of activities and projects accomplished,” he wrote. “According to this way of thinking, what you do comes before who you are, reversing the true hierarchy of spiritual identity.”
The other temptation looks more like “a kind of quietism,” according to the Pope. “Frightened by the current situation, we withdraw into ourselves, refusing the challenge of evangelization and instead adopting a lazy and defeatist approach.
“Conversely, a joyful and passionate ministry, despite all human weaknesses, can and must eagerly take up the task of evangelizing every dimension of our society, especially culture, economics and politics, so that everything can be recapitulated in Christ (cf. Eph 1:10).”
Pastoral charity, as Pope Saint John Paul II said, is central to priestly ministry, and should be cultivated in order to combat these temptations, according to Pope Leo. He encouraged priests to seek harmony between contemplation and work through staying committed to prayer. He also advised discerning what is a healthy level of media exposure and social media use, noting such platforms are not always helpful.
“In all situations, priests are called to respond effectively to the great hunger for authentic and sincere relationships that is found in contemporary society through the witness of a modest and chaste life,” he wrote. “They are likewise to bear witness to a Church that is ‘an effective leaven in bonds, relationships, and the kinship of the human family,’ ‘greater capacity to nurture relationships: with the Lord, between men and women, in the family, in the local community, among social groups and religions.’
“To this end, priests and lay people must work together to undertake a genuine missionary conversion that will guide Christian communities, under the guidance of their bishops, in service to ‘the mission that the faithful carry out within society, in family and working life.’”
The full letter can be read here.
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