Pope Leo XIV has called on newly appointed bishops to confront clergy misconduct with courage and transparency, while rooting their ministry in synodality, dialogue, and closeness to the faithful.
Speaking to bishops at the close of their Vatican formation course on September 11, the Pope urged them to remain steadfast in prayer, face challenges with trust in the Holy Spirit, and avoid isolating themselves in closed circles.
On clergy misconduct, he insisted cases must never be hidden but addressed with both justice and mercy toward victims and the accused.
Highlighting synodality as “a style of Church,” he encouraged bishops to build bridges, value the laity, and foster peace that is “unarmed and disarming.” He warned against reckless use of social media and recommended prudence, calm discernment, and the advice of communications professionals.
The Pope also emphasized the importance of accompanying vocations with openness, collaborating with lay movements as “a source of hope,” and engaging in dialogue with people of other faiths.
Marking the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, he urged them to integrate ecological concerns into their mission. He also pointed to the pastoral needs of young people, whose longing for prayer, communion, and spiritual depth cannot be met by digital spaces or routine parish activities.
Concluding, Pope Leo assured the bishops of his prayers: “The Church appreciates your ‘yes’; you are not alone; together we bear the burden and together we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
