Vatican official uses Web site to discuss priesthood with priests

Published: 2007-01-30

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As he settled into his new role as prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes used the congregation Web site to greet the world's priests. "Ours is not an easy mission," he told priests in the message posted Jan. 24 on the Web site www.clerus.org. But remaining united with Christ, "we will always be mindful of giving testimony to the hope that is within us to our numerous brothers and sisters who, even today, long for the way, the truth and the life," said Cardinal Hummes, who took up his new position in early December. The cardinal told the priests that the role of the congregation's prefect is "to be a bishop for you and a priest with you." Priests have a specific identity that must shine through their very being as well as their activities, he said.

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