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Pope Leo XIV Urges Latin American Bishops to Lead from the Ground
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV has called on Latin American bishops to lead from the ground, emphasizing the importance of pastoral care over desk-bound administration. In a letter dated September 8, the pope urged the bishops to emulate St.
Pope Leo XIV has called on Latin American bishops to lead from the ground, emphasizing the importance of pastoral care over desk-bound administration. In a letter dated September 8, the pope urged the bishops to emulate St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, a 16th-century Spanish missionary who evangelized Peru, by placing the good of the faithful above all else.
The pope highlighted the challenges of understanding a diocese from behind a desk, stating, 'Certain aspects of a diocese are hard to grasp from behind a desk.' He noted that St. Turibius arrived in a land with customs largely unknown to him, and his experience brought him close to the people through pastoral charity.
Pope Leo XIV reminded the bishops that true shepherds go out to care for their flock rather than lead from behind a desk. He encouraged them to personally visit their communities, listen to their needs, and seek out those who rarely have the opportunity to approach the bishop. 'Pastoral visits retain their vitality when we go out to meet our communities,' the pope wrote.
The pope also emphasized the importance of clear teaching in the face of many voices claiming authority over the consciences of the faithful. He said, 'It is the bishop’s duty to offer a clear teaching that is patient and rooted in this communion, in order to help his people recognize the voice of the one Shepherd.
Drawing from St. Turibius’ pastoral ministry to priests and his awareness that 'the life of the clergy has an impact on that of the people,' Pope Leo XIV told the Latin American bishops to stand by their priests, those preparing to enter the priesthood in seminaries, and those in their first years of ministry. He added, 'Pastors change, new challenges arise, and projects unfold, but the Church lives in the Lord.
The pope’s letter, sent to mark the third centenary of St. Turibius’ death, underscores the importance of a bishop’s ministry in living with their heart in heaven and their feet on the road. 'A bishop’s ministry demands living with our heart in heaven and our feet on the road,' the pope wrote.
Background
Pope Leo XIV will lead more than 700 children in praying the rosary for peace at the Vatican, part of a global initiative.
Bishop Michael Saporito has been appointed as the new leader of the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, following a nearly one-year wait.
What's confirmed
- In a letter dated Sept. 8 and addressed to the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, the pope cited the example of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, the Spanish missionary bishop who evangelized Peru in the 16th century, and urged them to place the good of the faithful above all else.
- “Certain aspects of a diocese are hard to grasp from behind a desk,” the pope wrote.
- “That experience brought me particularly close to Saint Turibius, who also came from afar to a land that he eventually made his own through pastoral charity,” the pope wrote.
- “Saint Turibius arrived in a land whose peoples and customs were largely unknown to him,” the pope explained.
- “Pastors change, new challenges arise, and projects unfold, but the Church lives in the Lord,” the pope wrote.
- “At a time when so many voices claim authority over the consciences of the faithful, it is the bishop’s duty to offer a clear teaching that is patient and rooted in this communion, in order to help his people recognize the voice of the one Shepherd,” the pope said.
- (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV reminded Latin American bishops that true shepherds go out and care for their flock rather than lead from behind a desk.
- “For this reason, we must ensure that pastoral visits retain their vitality: let us personally go out to meet our communities, listen to our flock and seek out those who seldom have the opportunity to approach the bishop.” A bishop’s ministry, he added, “demands living with our heart in heaven and our feet on the road.” The pope’s letter, sent to mark the third centenary of St.
What's still developing
- Pope Leo XIV speaks during a private audience with seminarians at the Vatican Sept.