SAN FERNANDO City, Pampanga, March 14, 2015—Given that they cannot give what they themselves lack, a Catholic prelate pointed out members of the clergy are not exempted from having to confess their own sins to make peace with God.
San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David says priests are not exempted from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, saying confessing their own sins prepares them spiritually to hear the faults of others. (Photo: CBCPNews)
In a recent interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas, San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David shared all the more reason should “men of the cloth” avail of the sacrament of penance because it renders them worthy to fully impart absolution to others.
Just as sinful
“Although we are ordained, we also have to confess our sins just like the ordinary faithful and to reconcile ourselves with the Lord … We are just as guilty of sins,” he said.
The prelate, who also chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’s Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA), admitted, however, that while it is not easy for priests to sit on the other side of the confessional, they have to do it because it is one of the best ways they can get the spiritual nourishment they need to sustain them in their sacred ministry.
Spiritual readiness
David added there is nothing like preparing oneself adequately for the sacrament of reconciliation.
According to him, the sacrament has four elements: three on the part of the penitent (contrition, confession proper, and satisfaction), and one on the part of the minister of the sacrament (forgiveness, absolution).
24 Hours for the Lord
Meanwhile, Pope Francis has called on Catholics worldwide to take part in the 24 Ore per Il Signore” (“24 Hours for the Lord”), a whole day dedicated to confession and the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Themed “God rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4), the event will be held to place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the center of the Church’s mission of New Evangelization.
Prayer power
In his Lenten message, the Holy Father underscored the efficacy of collective adoration, inviting the faithful to mark March 13 to 14 as “24 Hours for the Lord.”
“Let us not underestimate the power of so many voices united in prayer! The 24 Hours for the Lord initiative, which I hope will be observed on 13-14 March throughout the Church, also at the diocesan level, is meant to be a sign of this need for prayer,” he said.
For updates, interested parties may visit the Vatican website http://www.novaevangelizatio.va/content/nvev/en/news/24h-2015.html. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)
