"However, we know that there are many temptations we must resist. I will
present you at least two of them. The first is that of Pelagianism, which leads
the Church not to be humble, selfless and blessed. ... Often it leads us even
to
assuming a style of control, of hardness, normativity. Rules give to the
Pelagian the security of feeling superior, of having a precise orientation. In
this it finds its strength, not in the soft breath of the Spirit. Faced with
the
ills or the problems of the Church, it is useless to seek solutions in
conservatism or fundamentalism, in the restoration of outdated forms and
conduct
that have no capacity for meaning, even culturally. Christian doctrine is not a
closed system incapable of generating questions, doubts and uncertainties, but
it is living, it knows how to disturb and to encourage. Its face is not rigid,
it has a body that moves and develops, it has tender flesh; Christian doctrine
is called Jesus Christ".
 "A second temptation is the gnosticism that leads us to place our trust in
logical and clear reasoning that, however, loses the tenderness of our
brother's
flesh. ... The difference between Christian transcendence and any other form of
gnostic spiritualism resides in the mystery of the Incarnation. Not putting
into
practice, not leading the Word to reality, means building on sand, remaining in
the pure idea and degenerating into intimisms that do not bear fruit, that
render its dynamism sterile".
 "The Italian Church has great saints whose examples help live faith with
humility, generosity and joy, from St. Francis of Assisi to St. Philip Neri.
But
let us also think of invented characters such as Don Camillo and Peppone. I am
struck by how, in the stories of Guareschi, the prayer of a good pastor unites
with evident closeness to the people".
 "But then, you will ask, what must we do? What is the Pope asking of us? It is
up to you to decide: people and pastor together. And I invite you, again,
simply
to contemplate the Ecce Homo above us".
 "I ask the bishops to be pastors. Nothing more: pastors. May this be your joy:
'I am a pastor'. It will be the people, your flock, who support you. ... May
nothing and no-one remove from you the joy of being supported by your people.
As
pastors, do not be preachers of complex doctrines, but rather announcers of
Christ, Who died and rose again for us. Focus on the essential, the kerygma.
There is nothing more solid, profound and sure than this announcement. But may
it be all the people of God who announce the Gospel, people and pastors".
 "I recommend all the Italian Church what I indicated in the Apostolic
Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium: the social inclusion of the poor, who occupy a
special place in the People of God, and the capacity for encounter and dialogue
to promote friendship and in your country, in search of the common good".
 "May God protect the Church in Italy from any kind of surrogate of power,
image
and money. Evangelical poverty is creative, it welcomes, supports and is rich
in
hope. The mother Church ... recognises all her abandoned, oppressed and weary
children. And this has always been one of your virtues, as you are well aware
that the Lord shed his blood not for some, for few or for many, but for all".
 "I also recommend, in a special way, the capacity for dialogue and encounter.
Dialogue is not negotiation. Negotiating is bargaining to obtain your own piece
of the common 'pie'. That is not what I mean. Instead it is seeking the common
good for all".
 "May the Church be a leaven for dialogue, encounter, unity. Indeed, our very
formulations of faith are the fruit of dialogue and encounter between different
cultures, communities and claims. We must not be afraid of dialogue; on the
contrary, it is precisely comparison and criticism that helps us to preserve
theology from being transformed into ideology. Also remember that the best way
to engage in dialogue is not that of speaking and discussing, but rather of
doing something together, of constructing something, of making projects: not
alone, among Catholics, but along with all people of goodwill".
 "But the Church also knows how to give a clear answer to the threats that
emerge within public debate: this is one of the forms of specific contributions
that the faithful offer to the construction of common society. Believers are
citizens. ... I appeal above all to the young: overcome apathy. ... Do not
look down
on life from the balcony, but rather get involved, immerse yourselves in broad
social and political dialogue. ... Our times require us to live problems as
challenges and not as obstacles: the Lord is active and at work in the world.
...
Wherever you are, never construct walls or frontiers, but instead open squares
and field hospitals".
 "I would like a restless Italian Church, ever closer to the abandoned, the
forgotten, the imperfect. I wish for a joyful Church with the face of a mother,
who understands, accompanies and caresses. May you too dream of this Church,
believe in her, innovate freely. The Christian humanism that you are called
upon
to live radically affirms that dignity of every person as Son of God,
establishes between all human beings a fundamental fraternity, teaches to
understand work, to inhabit creation as our common home, and provides reasons
for joy and humour, even in a life that is often very hard".
 Following his encounter with the representatives of the ecclesial congress,
shortly before midday, the Pope went to the Basilica of the Santissima
Annunziata to pray the Angelus with various sick and disabled people, after
which he lunched with the poor in the San Francesco Poverino refectory.

___________________________________________________________

 Episcopal ordination in the Basilica of St. John Lateran: the Kingdom of God
is
built with patience
 Vatican City, 10 November 2015 (VIS) - Yesterday, 9 November, festivity of the
dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis conferred
episcopal
ordination to Msgr. Angelo De Donatis, of the clergy of Rome, who was appointed
auxiliary bishop of Rome on 14 September.
 The homily pronounced by the Holy Father during the mass was essentially the
ritual homily for the ordination of bishops from the Italian edition of the
Pontificale Romanum. However, Francis added some phrases dedicated in
particular
to the proclamation of the Word, the welcome of the poor and vulnerable, and
mercy.
 "Announcing the Word at every opportunity and also at less opportune moments;
admonish ... but always kindly, exhort with magnanimity and doctrine. May your
words be simple, so that everyone can understand, rather than long homilies.
...
Remember your father, how happy he was to find nearby another parish where Mass
was celebrated without a homily! May your homilies be the transmission of God's
grace: simple, that everyone may understand, and so that all wish to become
better".
 "With your heart, love like a father and a brother all those whom God entrusts
to you; as I have said, first and foremost the priests, deacons and
seminarians;
but also the poor, the vulnerable, and those who are in need of welcome and
help. Exhort the faithful to cooperate in apostolic efforts and listen to them
willingly and with patience. Often you will need a lot of patience ... but the
Kingdom of God is built in this way".
 "As we near the Year of Mercy, I ask you as a brother to be merciful. The
Church and the world are in need of great mercy. Teach priests and seminarians
the path of mercy. With words, but most of all through your attitude. The
Father's mercy always receives, there is always room in His heart, He never
turns anyone away. He waits, and waits. ... I wish you great mercy".
 During the rite of consigning the episcopal ring, the Pope also added: "Do not
forget that, before this ring, there was that of your parents. Defend the
family".

___________________________________________________________

 Clarifications from Fr. Federico Lombardi
 Vatican City, 10 November 2015 (VIS) - The director of the Holy See Press
Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., in response to questions from journalists,
today affirmed that:
 "There is no basis to the reports in some articles claiming that in recent
days, as part of the investigations in process in the Vatican, a number of
cardinals and high prelates have been heard (it has even been stated that four
cardinals were involved). This is absolutely false.
 "Similarly, the reports in recent days in some articles regarding contacts
with
the Italian authorities by Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello in relation to the
problems of leaked documents are entirely untrue".

___________________________________________________________

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