Pope Francis Inspires Church’s Pastoral Ministers in Belgium
During his Apostolic Journey to Belgium, Pope Francis met with the country’s bishops, priests, men and women religious, and pastoral workers at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Koelkelberg. In this meeting, the Pope delivered a powerful message, urging these ministers to embody the Gospel values of joy and mercy, even in the face of challenging experiences.
In his address, Pope Francis emphasized the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel to every sector of society. He acknowledged the crisis of faith in the Western world and encouraged the Church to view this as an opportunity to rediscover the ways of the Spirit and embrace a Christianity of witness. The Pope insisted on the importance of joy in the Christian life, stating that true joy sustains believers even in moments of darkness or pain.
Pope Francis called on Belgian priests to love Jesus Christ and walk closely with God’s people, seeking harmony in diversity. He highlighted the divine attribute of mercy, reminding the ministers that God’s love is always extended to all, even in the face of serious sin. The Pope acknowledged the painful reality of the clerical sexual abuse crisis, calling for an abundance of mercy to support the victims and prevent the hardening of hearts.
In conclusion, Pope Francis expressed gratitude to the clergy and religious of Belgium for their continuous offering of God’s mercy and their perseverance in allowing the light of faith to shine through challenging times. He reminded them that without the Spirit, nothing Christian can take place.
