CNS STORY: Despite 'human limits,' priests maintain unique role, patriarch says

PRIESTS-TWAL Apr-1-2010 (500 words) With photos. xxxi

Despite 'human limits,' priests maintain unique role, patriarch says

By Judith Sudilovsky
Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem reminded priests of their unique role in the church, saying in his Holy Thursday homily that the priesthood, "in spite of human limits," entitles priests to offer themselves as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God."

"Without priesthood, redemption is not continued and not made present and efficient," he said.

The patriarch noted that it was in the city of Jerusalem that Jesus founded the priesthood for the ministry of the new covenant.

"His complete obedience to his Father, expressed through the acceptance of death on the cross, was the unique sacrifice of the new covenant," Patriarch Twal said, adding the Jesus' priesthood was "manifested at the Last Supper, and accomplished on Calvary," just a few steps from where Mass was celebrated.

He said the priests gave thanks for "the privilege to be and live in these holy places."

Priests have been "asked and entitled" to repeat Jesus' gesture through offering bread and wine, he said.

"The priests of the new covenant, vessels of clay, aware of their own weakness, are friends of Christ not his slaves," he said. Quoting from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, the patriarch said priests were "the ministers of the new covenant who have been granted mercy and thus have been qualified to serve God and the flock, with love, not fear."

Commenting on the sexual abuse crisis that has emerged in Europe, Patriarch Twal noted that the church "deplores weaknesses, shortcomings and abuses of priests" and asks forgiveness for them. He said their "confession and humility" could provide a good example for all Catholics.

"The acknowledgment of our own weaknesses -- imperfections and limits, as the pontiff states -- is the first and best step for improving," he said. "The Lord's forgiveness and the flock's understanding support us and encourage us to be one with Christ, to be other Christs."

In a separate Easter message released March 31, Christian leaders in the Holy Land said they wanted to offer a statement of "hope, encouragement and perseverance" as they asked for prayers for Christians who "struggle for justice, peace and reconciliation" in the troubled region.

"Christians, in all generations, face many challenges," the leaders said. "Our current generation is no different than those who have gone before us. We, with you, have great responsibilities and many obstacles.

"The Christian church faces struggles here in this land and yet we continue to be full of hope that we are at one and the same time the church of Calvary and the church of the Resurrection. Our faith is not in the power of death, but in the power of the sacrificial life of Christ."

Through Christ's resurrection, despair and evil can be overcome, the message said.

Patriarch Twal; Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land; Maronite Archbishop Paul Nabil Sayah of Haifa; and Melkite Archbishop Joseph J. Zerey of Jerusalem were among the signatories of the message.

END

Copyright (c) 2010 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250