Pope: 'Be shepherds who combine doctrinal clarity with pastoral closeness'
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"May we never lack the time to be with the Lord and to accompany those who need to experience the Bishop’s spiritual fatherhood. For the Bishop, united to Christ, even amidst his limitations, is an instrument of comfort, unity and hope."
Pope Leo XIV expressed this when addressing the Bishops of Peru at the chapel of the Archbishop’s Palace in Lima on Thursday, marking his first full day in the country.
In his remarks, the Pope stressed that Bishops must open their hearts to the Peru of today, observing that an ancient path retains its value when it continues to enable people to reach their destination.
Need for shepherds who combine doctrinal fidelity with pastoral closeness
"We must ask ourselves which paths truly lead to Christ, and we should denounce false paths," he said.
Moreover, he insisted, "Peru needs shepherds capable of listening to the questions of our time and illuminating them with the clarity of the Gospel."
He said this is especially important in order to best "accompany families, support young people, defend the life and dignity of every person, promote justice and commit to the care of creation, helping in a particular way those who suffer from poverty, exclusion, corruption, violence and a lack of opportunities."
Pope Leo said this mission "requires us to combine doctrinal fidelity with pastoral closeness; the celebration of the sacraments with a commitment to our neighbor; and the formation of consciences with a concrete witness of charity."
‘Before the tabernacle, we regain correct perspective on our ministry’
The Pope stressed the importance of learning from the holiness of the country's saints and of turning to the Eucharist.
"The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life. Before the tabernacle, we regain the correct perspective on our ministry. The Church does not belong to us; it belongs to Christ. We are messengers who will one day complete our journey. Only God remains!"
Pope Leo also reflected on those models of holiness who have walked these lands before them in the country, including Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo and Saint Rose of Lima.
Saint Rose's prayer life and dedication to those in need,” he reflected, “remind us that apostolic fruitfulness depends on our union with the Lord, consequently, on the care we take of our own spiritual life in the episcopal ministry.”
Saint Francis Solano, he said, teaches us to cross borders to proclaim the Gospel, for “his joyful missionary spirit reminds us that the Church exists to proclaim Jesus Christ, especially to those living on the human and geographical peripheries.”
Whereas Saints Martin de Porres and Juan Macías, through their humility, he noted, teach us to recognize Christ in the least among us.
The Pope said these individuals also remind us that no person can be judged by their rank, their origins, or their social status.
He reflected that “the lives of the saints — each distinct yet united by a single faith: Bishops, priests and laity; Spaniards, Creoles and Mulattos — represent the unity of the Church in Peru and form a school of holiness.”
He reassured the Bishops that “they continue to walk with us, here and now, along the many paths of the one Way, teaching us to be in Illo uno unum.”
Resolute commitment to fostering a culture of prevention
In his address to the Peruvian Bishops, the Pope condemned a reality that has caused immense suffering, namely the abuses perpetrated by members of the clergy or within the context of the Church.
“We must respond as Jesus would, with truth, with justice, with forgiveness, with making amends, and an ever more resolute commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and protection for the weakest in light of such crimes.”
No Bishop nor particular Church should ever feel alone
He told the Bishops that their mission as Bishops calls them to be bridgebuilders, to foster dialogue, to educate others in having fruitful encounters and to help heal the wounds that divide Peruvian society."
He said that to do this effectively requires opening their hearts to their brother Bishops so “as to cultivate trust, share our difficulties and strengthen episcopal fraternity.”
“No Bishop should feel alone on this journey. No particular Church should carry out its mission as if it were separate from that of the others,” Pope Leo acknowledged.
Accordingly, in and through communion, the Holy Father asserted, the Bishop “will be an instrument in preventing social or political polarization from weakening his prophetic and evangelizing mission.”
Pope Leo urged them "to never cease walking with the people;" "to never cease walking together, in episcopal communion, as witnesses to the unity we proclaim"; and "to never tire of opening our hearts to God, so that he may renew our vocation; to our brothers and sisters, so that divisions may be healed; and to his people, so that they may find in you the 'Father Bishop' who is close at hand, courageous and merciful."
Pope Leo XIV concluded by praying that the Blessed Mother grant that all the children of this beautiful land — in the Andean highlands, in the valleys, in the Amazon, on the coast and on the islands — may find in the Church a home where they are welcomed, listened to, loved and led to Jesus Christ.”
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