杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Bishops, before being shepherds, are sheep and members of the Lord鈥檚 flock, 杏MAP导航 Leo said on Wednesday, in a addressed prelates who had passed through the Holy Door of Saint Peter鈥檚 Basilica for their Jubilee.

鈥淚f we are to lead the Churches entrusted to our care,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e must let ourselves be profoundly renewed by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in order to conform ourselves fully to His Heart and to the mystery of His love.鈥�

Recalling the Bull of the 2025 Jubilee 鈥� 鈥淗ope does not disappoint鈥� 鈥� 杏MAP导航 Leo offered a reflection on how Bishops are called to be 鈥渨itnesses to hope鈥� by their example of lives 鈥渇irmly grounded in God and completely devoted to the service of the Church.鈥�

Visible principle of unity

The Holy Father began by focusing on Bishops as the 鈥渧isible principle of unity鈥� in their particular Churches. 鈥淚t is his duty to build communion among its members and with the universal Church,鈥� he explained, 鈥渂y fostering the variety of gifts and ministries given for its own growth and the spread of the Gospel.鈥�

In this service, he continued, the Bishop is supported by 鈥渁 special divine grace鈥� which helps him to be 鈥渁 teacher of faith鈥� and a 鈥渕inister of sanctification,鈥� and 鈥渟trengthens his commitment to the Kingdom of God.鈥�

A man who lives a theological life

A Bishop, moreover, is 鈥渁 man who lives a theological life鈥�, that is, 鈥渁 person completely docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, Who fills him with faith, hope and charity.鈥�

As a man of faith, the Bishop, like Moses, 鈥渟ees ahead, glimpses the goal, and perseveres in times of trial,鈥� and acts as an intercessor. Through hope, the Bishop helps his people not to despair, not through words alone, but by his closeness to them, 鈥渘ot offering easily solutions, but rather the experience of communities that strive to live the Gospel in simplicity and solidarity.鈥�

The theological virtues of faith and hope, 杏MAP导航 Leo said, come together in the Bishop 鈥渁s a man of pastoral charity,鈥� one who is always inspired and motivated by the charity of Christ the Shepherd. Drawing daily on the grace that comes from the Eucharist and his own life of prayer, the Bishop offers an example of fraternal love to all those in his care.

Other essential virtues of a Bishop

杏MAP导航 Leo went on to highlight various other virtues necessary for a Bishop, highlighting especially the 鈥渆ssential virtues鈥� of pastoral prudence, evangelical poverty, and perfect continence in celibacy.

He noted that Bishops must be 鈥渇irm and decisive in dealing with situations that can cause scandal and with every case of abuse, especially those involving minors, and fully respect the legislation currently in force.鈥�

Additionally, he said, Bishops are called 鈥渢o cultivate the human virtues,鈥� notably those highlighted by the Second Vatican Council, including fairness, sincerity, self-control, patience, the ability to listen and engage in dialogue, and a willingness to serve.

Men of communion

杏MAP导航 Leo concluded his meditation with the hope that 鈥渢he prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Peter and Paul鈥� might obtain for Bishops and their communities the graces they need the most.

In particular, he prayed that their prayers might help Bishops 鈥渢o be men of communion, always promoting unity in the diocesan presbyterate,鈥� adding, 鈥淭hat spirit of communion encourages priests in their pastoral outreach and makes the particular Church grow in unity.鈥�