Priesthood is a vocation to selfless service -
not merely a "career"
Address of Pope John Paul II to the Bishops of the Philippines on their Ad Limina Visit; Thursday, 9 October 2003

Your Eminence,
Dear Brother Bishops,

... Jesus, in the Gospel of John, explains that being a disciple of the Lord is not a whimsical decision but is instead a serious, loving response to a personal invitation: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should bear fruit and that your fruit should abide. This I command you, to love one another" (Jn 15:16,17). ...

Fulfilling these noble aims necessitates a commitment on your part to prepare the lay faithful to be true disciples for the world. It is the Pastors of local Churches who ensure that the laity has at its disposal programs of spirituality and catechesis to prepare it for this mission. ...

One of the major contributions the Church can make in guaranteeing a solid preparation of the laity is to ensure that seminaries and religious houses are training future priests to be dedicated disciples of the Word and Sacrament. It is a complex process that begins with the proper selection of candidates. In this regard, I recommend that you and your priests actively search for good, pious and well-balanced young men for the priesthood and challenge them to be not afraid " to put out into the deep" for a catch of inestimable value (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, 1). ...

As in the case of the formation of seminarians, priestly formation demands a "harmoniously blended" approach which at all times promotes the priestly virtues of charity, prayer, chastity and faithful celebration of the liturgy, practices unappreciated or even rejected by modern culture and its media.

Today’s clergy must be careful not to adopt the secular view of the priesthood as a "profession", a "career" and a means of earning a living. Rather, the clergy must see the priesthood as a vocation to selfless, loving service, embracing wholeheartedly the "esteemed gift of celibacy" and all that this involves. Here I wish to emphasize that celibacy is to be regarded as an integral part of the priest’s exterior and interior life, and not just as a long-standing ideal which is to be respected (cf. Presbyterorum Ordinis, 16). Sadly, the lifestyle of some clergy has been a countersign to the spirit of the evangelical counsels which should be a part of the spirituality of every priest. The scandalous behavior of a few has undermined the credibility of many. I wish you to know that I am aware of the sensitive way in which you have attempted to address this issue, and I encourage you not to lose hope. True discipleship calls for love, compassion and at times strict discipline in order to serve the common good. Always be just and always be merciful.