Asian Prelates Cite a Key to Vocations
From: Zenit
HONG KONG, NOV. 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The quality of family life can either make or break a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, say bishops in Asia.
About 150 bishops, priests and religious gathered Oct. 22-27 in Sampran, Thailand, for the 1st Asian Vocation Symposium held by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
In their final statement, the bishops said that it was in families that the mystery of a vocation is born, encouraged and guided, and “the quality of family life […] either nourishes and fosters vocation or weakens and destroys” it.
The bishops said an emerging global culture that fosters individualism, self-assertion and ambition brought a negative influence to Asian families and vocations as well.
Vocation directors should regularly visit the families of candidates to the priesthood or religious life, they said, to know the family and to explain the mystery of the vocation and the necessity of encouragement and support for the candidate.
The bishops said that family-related laity groups, such as Couples for Christ and the Marriage Encounter Movement, could have a positive influence on parish vocation ministry. They encouraged family renewal programs, catechesis, prayer groups, and special Masses, as well as the organization of youth groups.
http://www.zenit.org/article-20919?l=english
HONG KONG, NOV. 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The quality of family life can either make or break a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, say bishops in Asia.
About 150 bishops, priests and religious gathered Oct. 22-27 in Sampran, Thailand, for the 1st Asian Vocation Symposium held by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
In their final statement, the bishops said that it was in families that the mystery of a vocation is born, encouraged and guided, and “the quality of family life […] either nourishes and fosters vocation or weakens and destroys” it.
The bishops said an emerging global culture that fosters individualism, self-assertion and ambition brought a negative influence to Asian families and vocations as well.
Vocation directors should regularly visit the families of candidates to the priesthood or religious life, they said, to know the family and to explain the mystery of the vocation and the necessity of encouragement and support for the candidate.
The bishops said that family-related laity groups, such as Couples for Christ and the Marriage Encounter Movement, could have a positive influence on parish vocation ministry. They encouraged family renewal programs, catechesis, prayer groups, and special Masses, as well as the organization of youth groups.
http://www.zenit.org/article-20919?l=english
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