Emmanuel
EUCHARIST: LIVING & EVANGELIZING
Pope Francis Exlpores the Priesthood:
Ten Foundational Insights — Numbers 1-5
by James H. Kroeger, MM
Pope Francis’ thinking on the priesthood offers a clear and challenging vision for
priestly life and ministry today.
Father James H.
Kroeger, MM,
has served in
Asia since 1970,
ministering in
parishes and in
the formation
of seminarians,
catechists, and
lay leaders. He
currently teaches
Christology,
ecclesiology,
missiology, and
Asian theology
at Loyola School
of Theology, East
Asian Pastoral
Institute, and
Mother of Life
Catechetical
Center in Manila,
Philippines.
His recent
books include
Asia’s Dynamic
Local Churches;
Becoming
Missionary
Disciples; A
Vatican II Journey:
Fifty Milestones;
Walking in the
Light of Faith,
and The Gift of
Mission.
As a “pope
of the people,”
Pope Francis
connects and interacts well with
people across a wide spectrum of ages, backgrounds, social strata, and
walks of life. He is noted for a large number of “firsts”: first Jesuit pope;
first to take the name Francis; first non-European pope in more than
1,000 years; the first pope to be honored in 2013 by Time as “Person of
the Year,” the prestigious title given to the one who “has done the most
to influence the events of the year.”
Pope Francis, who has over ten million followers on Twitter, is often
remembered for his sense of humor and memorable quotes. When he
was elected pope in 2013, he told the other cardinals: “May God forgive
you for what you have done.” A child once asked him if he wanted to be
pope and this was his response: “You have to be totally crazy to want
to be pope.” His quotes contain much profound wisdom, expressed
succinctly and in a memorable manner. “A little bit of mercy makes
the world less cold and more just.” “To be wise, use three languages:
think well, feel well, and do well. And to be wise, allow yourselves to be
surprised by the love of God!”
In addition to insights on a broad range of current topics, Pope Francis
has spoken profoundly and insightfully on priests and the priesthood
on a variety of occasions (e.g. Chrism Masses, ordination Masses, the
Jubilee for Priests, etc.).
This modest presentation attempts to mine the rich treasures of Francis’
insights on the priesthood, quoting extensively the very words spoken
by the pope. It revolves around ten pivotal themes. Admittedly, this is
only one author’s attempt to “thematize” the thought of Pope Franciscus
on the priesthood. Twenty-four of the most relevant documents