Pope urges U.S. bishops to be close to their priests, encourage them

Published: 2004-05-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Bishops must love, listen to, support and correct the priests in their diocese, Pope John Paul II told bishops from Michigan and Ohio. "As a spiritual father and brother to his priests, the bishop should do everything in his power to encourage them in fidelity to their vocation and to the demands of leading a life worthy of the calling they have received," the pope told the bishops May 6. Pope John Paul met the bishops during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican. Each head of a diocese is required to make the visit every five years to report on the status of his see. The pope did not mention the clerical sex abuse scandal in his May 6 message to the group, but rather focused on the good and faithful service offered by the majority of U.S. priests. "I want to offer a word of acknowledgment and praise for the dedication and faithful work carried out by so many committed priests in the United States, especially those engaged in meeting the daily challenges and demands associated with parish ministry," he said.

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