Pope declares 2015 a Year to Focus on Consecrated Life

Written on: April 17, 2014

Pope Francis at the Union of Superiors General

The Union of Superiors General held its 82nd General Assembly in the Salesianum in Rome from 27 to 29 November.  The Holy Father chose to meet with the Superiors for three hours, rather than the short encounter envisaged: no address was prepared in advance, but instead a long, colloquial and fraternal discussion took place, composed of questions and answers.

The first group of questions related to the identity and mission of consecrated life. A radical approach is required of all Christians, the Pope stated, but religious persons are called upon to follow the Lord in a special way: “They are men and woman who can awaken the world. Consecrated life is prophecy.”

The Pope insisted upon the importance of formation, which he presented as founded upon four fundamental pillars: spiritual, intellectual, communitarian and apostolic. It is indispensable to avoid every form of hypocrisy and clericalism by means of a frank and open dialogue on all aspects of life: “formation is an artisanal craft, not a form of policing”, he commented; “its aim is to form religious persons with a tender heart, not acid, not like vinegar. We are all sinners, but not corrupt. Sinners are to be accepted, but not the corrupt.”

When asked about brotherhood, the Pope said that this has a great force of attraction, and presupposes the acceptance of differences and conflicts. “At times it is difficult to live in fraternity, but without it, no fruit may be borne.”

A number of questions were asked regarding the relationships between religious persons and the particular Churches to which they belong. The Pope confirmed that he had experience of the possible problems: “We bishops must understand that consecrated persons are not helpers, but rather charisms which enrich dioceses.”

The final questions regarded the frontiers of the mission of consecrated persons. “They must be sought on the basis of the charisms,” answered the Pope. Situations of exclusion remain the first priorities.  For the Pope, the pillars of education are “transmitting knowledge, transmitting methods, transmitting values. By these means, faith is communicated.“

Before taking leave of the 120 Superiors General present, the Pope announced that 2015 would be a year dedicated to consecrated life. He added, “Thank you for what you do and for your spirit of faith and your service. Thank you for your witness and also for the humiliations through which you have had to pass.”

The complete article may be found on www.nrvc.net under the heading “News”

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: 2015, charisms, Consecrated life, dioceses, education, Faith, formation, fraternity, fundamental pillars, NRVC, Pope Francis, prophecy, Religious life, Religious Women and Men, service, sinners, tender heart, values, Year for Consecrated Life