Pope Francis asks the ministers of the Church to always listen to the people
"Acceptance, temperance, patience, meekness, trustworthiness, goodness of heart: this is “the alphabet, the basic grammar, of every ministry” in the Church. But — Pope Francis recalled at the General Audience on Wednesday, 12 November in St Peter’s Square — there is “basic conduct” which must not be forgotten: the “awareness that everything is a gift, everything is grace, also helps a Pastor not to fall into the temptation of placing himself at the centre of attention and trusting only in himself”. Ministers of the Church must humbly “listen to the people”. And he relaunched his international appeal against the “absurd violence” being inflicted on Christians. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s address, which he delivered in Italian."
Read Pope Francis' Address at the General Audience today
Gerard W Hughes SJ RIP
We are sad to hear from Independent Catholic News that
Gerard W Hughes SJ, died peacefully in the Jesuit nursing home in Boscombe, Bournmouth, at about 2.30pm on Tuesday, 4 November 2014. He celebrated his 90th birthday in March this year. May he rest in peace.
Fr Gerry was a much-loved priest, spiritual director, author, teacher and friend to many. Fr Gerry's books included God of Surprises, God in All Things, Oh God Why?, and Walking with God. His last book, Cry of Wonder was published just last week.
Early in 2013 he gave a talk in a series at St. Giles' Church, Oxford from 17th January 2013 to 7th March 2013 inclusive.
Our tribute is to share his wisdom and his humour.
Pope at Mass: Love and justice are more important than attachment to the laws
Pope Francis lamented the case of Christians who are so attached to the laws that they neglect the concepts of love and justice. His words came on Friday during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta residence.
Pope Francis: We are all the Church! All of us all of us Baptized!
“Often, we hear people say: the Church doesn’t do this …the Church doesn’t do that!’ ‘Tell me who is the Church? – ‘Well the Church is the priests, the bishops, the Pope …’ We are all the Church! All of us all of us Baptized! We are the Church, the Church of Jesus’”.
This was the message at the heart of Pope Francis’ general audience Wednesday, which he dedicated to the relationship between the visible and spiritual reality of the Church.