Busy bishops must put prayer at top of daily agenda, pope says

Published: 2007-09-24

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Busy bishops need to put prayer and reflection at the top of their daily agenda, Pope Benedict XVI told a group of recently ordained bishops. Bishops face many demands and time-consuming tasks and duties, "but the top priority in the life of a successor of the apostles must be reserved for God," he said. The pope's remarks came during a Sept. 22 audience at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. He spoke to more than 100 bishops who were attending a meeting in Rome for bishops ordained in the last year. A deeply spiritual and rich prayer life will help the bishop stay close to and imitate Christ, the pope said. It will also help him "become sensitive and merciful toward everyone" and help him discern others' real needs, he said. "Prayer teaches love and opens the heart to pastoral charity," enabling the bishop to welcome everyone who turns to him, he said.

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