Manila (AsiaNews) - Archbishop Gaudencio B.Cardinal Rosales urged his fellow priests to pray to God so that they may remain true to their vocations, above all in the Easter season, when the Eucharist renews its inseparable link with the priesthood.
The Archbishop of Manila extended this invitation to priests from his diocese during his Holy Week homily.
During Mass of the chrism celebrated in the capital’s cathedral, the prelate recalled that “the priest and the Mass in our Catholic faith is one. There is that undeniable connection,” He then cited Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation entitled “Sacramentum Caritatis"”, card. Rosales added: “When Christ says ‘does this in memory of me’ he institutes the Eucharist and at the same time establishes the priesthood of the New Covenant”.
Speaking to the priests he clarified that this is why “no one within the hierarchy has any given power, but receives a gift. This gift must be carefully conserved and shared with others, above all with those who don’t know the faith and who is poor in spirit and in body. This is why we ask you to stay where you are”.
The implicit reference is to two priests who left the Church in order to take part in upcoming local elections, due May 14th: “Priests receive from Christ the power to witness his faith in the world and the strength to do good. There are still so many things to accomplish, and we need all the help possible”.