Rome, Dec 23, (dpa/GNA) – Pope Leo XIV has published an apostolic letter on the subject of the priesthood, calling for changes to the training of priests.
The letter, which was made public on Monday, states that this training should not be limited to the time spent in the seminary.
It must continue after ordination to enable constant human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral renewal, the pontiff explained.
He also referred to the issue of abuse, and acknowledged that “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.”
In his Christmas message to the Roman Curia – as the Holy See’s administration is known – he called for unity.
Community within the Church always remains a challenge, said the pope. The pursuit of primacy must come to an end. He called foir the promotion of “better cooperation” among priests “to safeguard them from possible dangers arising from loneliness.”
The Roman Curia comprises the governing and administrative bodies of the Holy See.
At the beginning of his address to the Curia, the pope recalled his predecessor, pope Francis, who died in April. He had marked the path of the Church in recent years and encouraged it to refocus on mercy.
GNA