Archbishop prays for young people to embrace love and respect
THE Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin yesterday prayed for young people to embrace “a culture of mature sexuality, where love and respect are fostered over and above exploitation or empty pleasure”.
As he led hundreds of pilgrims in the Way of the Cross in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Dr Martin made his comments following the details which emerged during the course of the rape trial.
He prayed that young people would understand that success “springs from a culture of deep respect” and was not just a rat race about themselves.
“Help our young people to embrace a culture of mature sexuality, where love and respect are fostered over and above exploitation or empty pleasure,” he urged those in attendance.
In his reflections for the Catholic Church’s holiest day, Dr Martin also prayed for the protection of “the vulnerable from exploitation”.
He also called for the rediscovery of “the challenge of the joy of love, Amoris Laetitia”, which was a reference to Pope Francis’s pastoral document regarding love, marriage and the family.
THE leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has urged his fellow clergy to admit that they sometimes fail or need help and encouragement.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said the daily duties of ministry brought them face-on with trauma and tragedy.
He said clerics struggled with the same range of problems their congregations face, such as ill-health, loneliness and disappointment. In a remarkably frank and personal pre-Easter address, Archbishop Martin also touched on the recent death of his mother Catherine.
Speaking at the Chrism Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, held for clergy to recommit themselves to the priesthood, the Primate of All Ireland said: “I know that your priestly ministry brings you face to face with terrible traumas.
“You suffer with so many families at times of sudden loss. You are often among the first on the scene of car accidents or fires, you accompany griev“I ing parishioners, sometimes in heart-breaking moments when children or young people have died tragically.”
The archbishop added: “To minister like this is not easy, so please take care of your health and wellbeing.
“You have been generous in answering God’s call to serve, and in remaining committed to your priestly promises over many years.
“However, there are times when we all need help and priests are no exception. Priests struggle with illness, loneliness and increased frailty of old age.
“Priests can also have their personal disappointments, can fail to cope with criticism or fear
of the unknown. It is not a sign of weakness as a priest to admit that you sometimes fail or need help and accompaniment.
“We must not think that we have always to be in control, always to be the ‘fixers’, the ones with all the answers, forgetting that we too are human, we have our own sinfulness, vulnerabilities and needs.
“Sometimes it is our feet that need to be washed, our heads that yearn for anointing, our troubles that crave the soothing balm of understanding.”
Archbishop Martin also referred to the recent death of his mother. Catherine (Katie) Martin passed away on March 21. Her funeral took place last Friday.
He said: “In recent weeks my family and I have experienced at first-hand the comforting pastoral presence and prayers of priests, especially during my mother’s final illness and at her wake and funeral. Thank you.
know your priestly ministry brings you face to face with many situations like this and often with the terrible traumas that afflict life in the 21st century.”
He urged priests “to seek help when you need it” and added: “Be open to receiving help from a friend, a counsellor or mentor, a therapist or sponsor, especially when you find yourself drifting from the warmth of Christ’s embrace towards the clutches of the ‘Evil One’.”
Archbishop Martin urged clerics to surround themselves with trusted friends and family.
“Feel the warmth and supportive closeness of your faithful people,” he said. “Accept their care and welcome their gratitude and appreciation of your ministry among them. It is important sometimes to admit that like everyone else we priests are as much in need of hope and the joy of Christ’s love as to those to whom we have the privilege to minister.
“This is why at this Chrism Mass I thank God for our faithful people, friends, family and brother priests, like those with us today, who ‘wash our feet’, offer us consolation, loving support and understanding, who stand by us in trials, stay close to us in adversity, and sustain our vocations by their solidarity and forgiveness.”