In Praise of Priests, by Joe Borg, Times of Malta, May 22, 2010

In Praise of Priests

By Joe Borg
Times of Malta
May 22, 2010

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100523/religion/in-praise-of-priests

The Year of the Priests which is almost over was not the best of years for the clergy. The main debate in the media and in many circles, including Church ones, was not about the identity of the priest or his role in society. The debate about sexual abuse by priests overpowered everything else.

There was the publication of the reports about the fracas in Ireland. Then the floodgates were opened: Austria, Germany, Holland and Belgium. It seems that Spain and Italy will be the next stations of this neverending, self-imposed Via Crucis.

Priests represent Christ, continue his mission, and make him present in contemporary culture.

I have written so often about this 'filth' (the word Pope Benedict himself used) that no one can accuse me of ignoring it. However, reducing discussions about the priesthood to discussions about paedophilia is a travesty of reality and an affront to the truth.

Another reductionist approach was taken by those who try to analyse the priesthood from a purely sociological perspective. This dimension is very important but partial.

We priests are different as the priesthood is not of human origin. The priesthood is a pure gift bestowed on us for the service of others. As we say during Mass in another context, we receive this gift totally "mingħajr merti u mingħajr ma jistħoqqli" (without my merits or deserving it).

Doctors, lawyers, plumbers and others can boast that they are what they are thanks to their efforts and hard work. The only thing we priests can boast of is that we are what we are thanks to the gratuitous love of God and in spite of our limitations and sins. We are definitively not worthy of the gift that we received.

Pope Benedict, during a general audience held recently in St Peter's Square, spoke very clearly on this aspect: "Each priest knows he is a tool necessary for God's salvific action, but nonetheless just a tool. This awareness must make him humble and generous in administering the sacraments, respecting the canonical norms but also profoundly convinced that his mission is to ensure that mankind, united to Christ, can offer itself to God as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him."

As ordained ministers, we represent Christ, continue His mission, make him present in contemporary culture and witness the joy of the Good News of his infinite love. Writing this statement makes me shudder. How can I, a miserable sinner, represent Christ? Am I not arrogant to pretend that I make Him present?

Every day during Mass, we priests declare that we are sinners. But we also declare and celebrate God's great love. We also proclaim the Word of God which purifies us and shows us the path of faith.

Whoever tries to abrogate to himself the decision to become an ordained minister commits a great sin. Whoever, despite his weakness, humbly accepts the gift of the priesthood offered by God for the service of the community becomes a co-operator with the Divine Plan of Salvation. God chose to manifest His power and His glory in our weakness.

This is no mean endeavour. We priests need the love, care, compassion, forgiveness and help of the community to serve it as we should and are expected to serve it.

I make mine the words of Pope Benedict who called on the faithful "to be aware of the great gift that priests represent for the Church and the world. Through their ministry the Lord continues to save mankind, to make Himself present, to sanctify. Give thanks to God and, above all, remain close to your priests with prayer and support, especially in moments of difficulty, that they may increasingly become pastors in keeping with God's heart."

Contact: joseph.borg@um.edu.mt