Butembo-Beni, 29 March, 2024 / 10:30 pm (ACI Africa).
Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has challenged Priests ministering in his Episcopal See to be pastors with the smell of the sheep they shepherd.
In his Tuesday, March 26 homily during the Chrism Mass that is traditionally celebrated on Holy Thursday, Bishop Paluku paid tribute to Consecrated Persons who exercise their Priestly ministry in contexts of insecurity.
“Despite this insecurity which is real in our Diocese with the activities of the M23 rebels, Priests should live not for themselves, but rather for the general interest in favor of the needy,” he said.
“In this context, Consecrated Priests should be shepherds with the smell of their sheep through consolation, closeness and hope in the midst of injustice,” the Congolese Catholic Bishop said echoing the message of Pope Francis.
According to Bishop Paluku, “We cannot claim to evangelize others if we are not evangelized ourselves. We cannot hope to sanctify souls if we do not sanctify ourselves.”
