VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIV - # 87
DATE 13-05-2014

Summary:
- THE POPE'S "OPEN-HEARTED" CONVERSATION WITH THE PONTIFICAL COLLEGES
- TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL MARCO CE
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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 THE POPE'S "OPEN-HEARTED" CONVERSATION WITH THE PONTIFICAL COLLEGES
 Vatican City, 13 May 2014 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon in the Paul VI Hall
the Holy Father received in audience the rectors and alumni of the
Pontifical colleges and residences of Rome. Some of the priests and
seminarians, who are from all over the world and study in Rome, posed
questions to the Pope who answered spontaneously, without a prepared text,
with an "open heart". A dialogue made up of more than ten
questions, addressing themes such as the priesthood, temptations, and
challenges of consecrated life. Before he began, the Pope addressed a
special message of closeness to the Christians of Ukraine and the Middle
East, emphasising that the Church still suffers greatly today, in many
parts of the world, as a result of persecution.
 The Holy Father spoke about the danger of "academicism", or
rather the risk that seminarians return to their dioceses simply as
graduates rather than fathers, as priests, in response to a question from
an American seminarian. He mentioned the four pillars of the formation of
priests, which must be cultivated so as not to fall into the trap of
"academicism": spiritual, academic, communitarian and apostolic
formation. A seminarian from China asked about community life, to which
Pope Francis responded that it is impossible to prepare oneself for the
priesthood alone; it must take place within a community, taking great care
to overcome the capital sins that may arise in relations with one's
brethren. "Never, ever speak about others behind their backs!" he
said. "If I have something against someone, or I do not agree with
them, I tell them directly. ... Gossip is the scourge of a community; one
must always speak with someone face to face, and pray for those with whom
there are problems".
 Similarly, he advised them to be patient, to study hard and to make the
most of all the opportunities offered them during their stay outside their
countries of origin. He also urged them to seek calm through prayer and, in
turbulent moments, to take refuge under the mantle of the Mother of God.
"Because a good relationship with the Mother helps us to stay in good
relations with the Church". The Pope added that there is only one path
to leadership in priestly life: service. "Service means doing the will
of others, over and over again. Reject the path of money or vanity and be a
servant, armed with humility".
 A seminarian from Cameroon asked how the various dimensions of the
ministry can co-exist in a balanced way, to which Pope Francis responded
that it was necessary to be vigilant, careful and organised. "The
ideal is to end the day tired. ... But with a good tiredness, not a
reckless tiredness, that is harmful to your health over time". In
response to another question on how one should be a priest in view of the
new evangelisation, the Pope commented that it is important to reach out of
oneself, and to be close to the people. "A cordial closeness, a
closeness of love, but also a physical closeness". He added that the
closeness of a pastor to his people can be measured by the paying attention
to his homilies. He admitted that "in general, our homilies are not
good - they are conferences or lessons", and he emphasised that boring
homilies on abstract subjects resemble school. "We are behind in this
respect", he admitted; "it is one of the points of conversion
that the Church needs today: to improve homilies so that people can
understand better".
 Finally, the Pope responded to a Polish seminarian who asked his advice on
how to remain willing and happy in service to the people of God. Francis
commented on the great importance of meeting with people, with the bishop
and with other priests, but without fear. "Perhaps you have some inner
reservations, but you must never be afraid", and he added that
"one of the treasures that you must cultivate is priestly
friendship". Before taking his leave, the Pope encouraged the to be
"friends to all those whom the Lord places before you".
"Priestly friendship is the strength of perseverance, apostolic joy,
courage, and also humour".

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 TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL MARCO CE
 Vatican City, 13 May 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of
condolence to Bishop Francesco Moraglia, patriarch of Venice, for the death
yesterday of Cardinal Marco Ce, patriarch emeritus of Venice, Italy, at the
age of 88.
 The Pope expresses his closeness and prayer "for the entire diocesan
community, the family of the deceased cardinal, and all those who knew
him", and recalls "his tireless work in the dioceses of Crema and
Bologna, and in Catholic Action". He remarks that this "gentle
and wise pastor of the Church in Venice" offered "generous
service to the Word of God through the preaching of days of spirituality
for the clergy and for the young" and his "great efforts to bring
about an authentic liturgical spirit".

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 OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
 Vatican City, 13 May 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed Fr. Petros
Stefanou as bishop of Syros, Milos, Santorini, (area 633, population
31,600, Catholics 6,785, priests 11, religious 14) Greece, and apostolic
administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Candia, Crete. The
bishop-elect was born in Ermupoli, Greece in 1963 and was ordained a priest
in 1995. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Athens and a
bachelor's degree in philosophy and theology from the theological faculty
of northern Italy. He currently serves as priest of the parishes of St.
Peter Apostle in Posidonia and St. Joseph at Vissas in the island of Syros,
diocesan bursar, member of the economic council, head of the St. Paul
pastoral centre and the catechetic centre, and secretary for the Commission
for the Catechesis in Syros. He succeeds Bishop Franghiskos Papamanolis,
O.F.M. Cap., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocesis
and from the office of apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae
Sedis" of Candia, Crete, upon reaching the age limit, was accepted by
the Holy Father.

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