St Francis: The ever faithful defender of priests

There is a growing tendency in our islands to lambast irresponsibly all those who are contrary to one's ideas and likings. The Church, and especially her priests, do not escape such attacks either. Many times certain individuals purposely and un-scrupulously detract from God's sacred ministers without even thinking of the immense harm they are doing, primarily to God's flock.

They also tend to forget that besides our priests' evident weaknesses, our courageous pastors are in fact serving God and his Church with the best of their abilities.

To my fellow priests who feel hurt and discouraged by the poisonous words of these wicked snakes I want to propose for them their ever faithful supporter in this hour of their trial: St Francis of Assisi, whose feast is celebrated tomorrow.

In reading his testament, one can easily feel the immense love, respect and protection this saint held for Christ's consecrated ministers. "Afterwards the Lord gave me, and gives me still, such faith in priests who live according to the rite of the holy Roman Church because of their orders that, were they persecute me, I would still want to have recourse to them.

"And if I had as much wisdom as Solomon and found impoverished priests of this world, I would not preach in their parishes against their will. And I desire to respect, love and honour them and all others as my lords.

"And I do not want to consider any sin in them because I discern the Son of God in them and they are my lords.

"And I act in this way because, in this world, I see nothing corporally of the most high Son of God except His most holy Body and Blood which they receive and they alone administer to others".

I strongly encourage you, my dear brothers in the priesthood, that whenever you are unjustly criticised, condemned or os-tracised, always remember with great joy that an ardent, protecting and faithful supporter, St Francis of Assisi, is on your side. His constant and powerful intercession helps you live the following exhortation which Pope Benedict XVI delivered to us, bishops and priests during his recent visit in the Czech Republic. "Dear bishops and priests, it is your task to work tirelessly for the good of those entrusted to your care. Always draw inspiration from the Gospel image of the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep, calls them by name, leads them to safe pastures, and is prepared to give his life for them (cf. Jn 10:1-19)".

St Francis, our ever faithful defender of us priests, pray for us!