“We cannot be authentic fathers unless we are first sons and brothers” – Pope to Parish Priests

Pope Francis has highlighted the essential role of fraternity and communal solidarity in the pastoral ministry. In  message addressed to parish priests worldwide conveyed in a letter dated May 2, 2024, titled “Letter of the Holy Father Francis to Parish Priests,” Pope Francis emphasized the interconnectedness of priestly fraternity with authentic fatherhood in the Church.

“We cannot be authentic fathers unless we are first sons and brothers,” he said.

The Pope also called for a renewed commitment to collaboration and mutual support among parish priests and their bishops. He urged priests to prioritize communion within their communities, stating, “And we cannot foster communion and participation in the communities entrusted to our care unless, before all else, we live out those realities among ourselves.”

Reflecting on the diverse contexts in which parish priests serve, from bustling urban centers to remote rural areas, Pope Francis emphasised the need for adaptability and openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

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He urged parish priests to embrace synodality, stating, “Without priests, we will never be able to learn how to walk together and to set out on the path of synodality, the path which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.”

He emphasised that “It is urgent to discover with faith, the many and varied charismatic gifts of the laity, which are indispensable for evangelizing any number of human situations and contexts.”