Maravi

Stand by the poor, Bishop Banda advises priests

Stand by the poor, Bishop Banda advises priests
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Mon 08 Aug. 2011, 12:00 CAT

CATHOLIC priests have an obligation to stand by the poor and to share the glory of God with them, says Bishop Alick Banda. Speaking in his homily when he ordained nine deacons as priests at St John’s convent in Kitwe, Bishop Banda urged the new priests to work towards restoring hope in the lives of many people and sustaining the Christian faith.

Bishop Banda said true men of God must always be ready to sacrifice everything to serve people diligently and always uphold the dignity and sanctity of priesthood.

“In your execution of priestly duties, refuse to bow to popular dictates but what you know inwardly to be right. Share the glory of God with the priestly zeal and help people to enrich their faith in Christ,” Bishop Banda.

He said clergymen must act with boldness on various issues that affected the people.

Bishop Banda said the newly ordained priests must be exemplary in their pastoral works and must work hard to inspire Christian communities to draw closer to God.

“Our faith in Christ is deep-rooted and our prayers must go towards sustaining the faith. I urge you to help the faithful to liberate themselves from the burdens of everyday life. We are all invited to leave the treasures of the earth, to work for God and to find particular closeness with him,” Bishop Banda said.

He said with the many challenges facing the nation and the world at large and as many people seek success, riches and power, the Church had the responsibility to intensify the proclamation of the Gospel and to make people understand that it was only God who could satisfy the deepest needs of people.

Labels: ALICK BANDA, POVERTY

posted by MrK @ 7:44 PM