Pope pleads with priests to give short, clear homilies

Friday, November 13th, 2015

Pope Francis has pleaded with priests to give short, clear homilies.

The Pope made this plea at the ordination of a Rome pastor as an auxiliary bishop.

Ordaining Bishop Angelo De Donatis in Rome on Tuesday, Pope Francis reminded the new bishop of something he had told him earlier.

“Let your words be simple so that everyone can understand. Don’t give long homilies,” the Pope said.

“Allow me to ask you to remember your dad and how very happy he was to have found another parish in a town nearby where the Mass was celebrated without a homily!”

“Homilies should be the transmission of God’s grace. Simple, so that everyone can understand them and everyone will want to become a better person,” Pope Francis told the new bishop.

The ordination took place at the Basilica of St John Lateran, on the feast of dedication of the basilica.

After anointing the new bishop with oil and giving him the Book of the Gospels, the pope was about to present him with his episcopal ring, a “sign of fidelity,” but first Pope Francis told him, “Do not forget: Before this ring, there were the wedding bands of your parents. Defend the family!”

In his homily, the Pope asked the new bishop to be patient with priests, seminarians, the poor and laypeople who come to him looking for assistance and counsel.

“Many times you will need a lot of patience,” the Pope said, “but the kingdom of God is built that way.”

“And close to the beginning of the Year of Mercy, I ask you as a brother to be merciful,” the Pope said.

“The Church and the world need so much mercy. Teach priests and seminarians the path of mercy with words, yes, but especially with your behaviour.”

In his mercy, God always makes room for everyone in his heart, Pope Francis said, so priests and bishops should “never chase anyone away”.

Sources