Cardinal Arinze on Vocations
Link from P.P.:
"Young women do not want to join a group of old women who seem to be confused [about their mission]. Young men do not want to join a diocese where the priests seem to be angry."
He compared nuns who did not want to wear religious garb to a flight attendant for Alitalia who wanted to wear the uniform of American Airlines. "What do you think Alitalia is going to say? Let's dialogue?" he asked, to laughter from his audience.
Do you realize how many converts the Church would gain, especially among disgruntled conservative Anglicans in Africa, if this man became Pope? It boggles the imagination. In fact, if he does not become Pope, I'm becoming Anglican.
Young men are not attracted to the priesthood as an occupation, the way that they like the fringe benefits of military service, or the working hours of the hospitality industry, or the upward mobility of corporate careers. They join the priesthood when they are shown its moral, theological, and cosmological significance. They join the priesthood to manifest the very person of Christ, and like Him, to pour themselves out in sacrificial service to others. If you want vocations, point to the cross. Don't just lobby to have the bar lowered, the requirements relaxed, the standards watered down. That won't make priests. It'll just make you Anglican.
# posted by Jamie : 1:30 PM
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