Professor Mons. Antonio Miralles

The Pontifical University of Santa Croce

Videoconference, November 23^rd 2004

The question posed in this paper’s title certainly does not arise from a new, previously not experienced, need; however, in this situation in which the Church is called upon to a determined commitment of evangelisation, it becomes unavoidable. The first words, taken from 1 Pt 5, 2 lead us towards a real and effective answer: "Tend the flock of God in your midst, (overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (1 Pt 5, 2-4).

Hence there is a supreme Shepherd in the Church, Christ Himself. Pastors who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders, are pastors beneath Him and thanks to the sacrament are represented in Him. The Holy Father reaches a conclusion in his Pastores dabo vobis: "Therefore, priests are called to prolong the presence of Christ, the one high priest, embodying his way of life and making him visible in the midst of the flock entrusted to their care" (PDV 15). The Church’s pastors – bishops, presbyters – are credible to the extent that they embody Christ’s way of life. If the faithful do not find Christ in them, they will distance themselves from them. What else in them would they listen to or follow?

The passage in Saint Peter’s Letter specifies three attitudes that will guarantee pastors that they are effectively tending the flock of God as real shepherds under the Supreme Shepherd. First of all that they are not undertaking the pastoral service as an obligation, almost wishing to abandon it as a heavy burden, but instead voluntarily following Jesus’ example, obeying the Father unto death, as He Himself said: "This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.." " (John 10. 17-18).

Secondly, not out of a desire for earnings, but thanks to a good nature. This is the contrast between the mercenary and the good shepherd. The mercenary "has no concern for the sheep" (John 10, 14), he cares about the money; while the "lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10, 11).

Thirdly, not behaving as masters with the faithful entrusted to them, but behaving as models for the flock. The shepherds do not own the flock, because the flock belongs to God, and Jesus taught us that: "Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all" (Mark 10, 42-44).