MINISTRY AND LIFE OF PRIESTS
CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS IN THE LIGHT OF CONCILIAR AND POST CONCILIAR TEACHINGS
Keywords:
MINISTRY, LIFE OF PRIESTSAbstract
The article presents a Magisterial Theology on the Ministry and Life of Priests. The study bases on of the Second Vatican Council and PostVatican Council Documents. It is presented in five parts. First part gives the Role of Priests in the Ecclesiology, which underlines a strong need for renewal of the ministry and life of priests, necessity of a priestly consciousness that salvation is for all and a distinction between common priesthood and ministerial priesthood. Second part articulates the Image of Priest as a man chosen and called, consecrated and sent. Third part deliberates the Functions of Priests: Priests as ministers of God’s Word, ministers of sacraments and pastors of God’s people. Fourth part presents the Pastoral Mission and Holiness of Priests, which consists in priestly sanctity, unity and harmony of priests, communion and fraternity among priests and association of diocesan priests. Final part puts forward the Spiritual Requirements in the Life of the Priests: Obedience, celibacy, voluntary poverty. The conclusion gives some recommendations for priestly life and ministry, linking them with the findings of the analysis.
References
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http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/ documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_23101995_imp_en.html.
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http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_c clergy_doc_28101995_concm_en.html .
