Cardinal Bertone calls bishops to 'infect' others with love of Christ

Rome, Italy, Sep 16, 2009 / 19:38 pm

During Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Tuesday, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone called on the bishops present “to be holy in order to infect all those entrusted to us with the love of Christ.”

After noting that Benedict XVI will meet next Monday with the bishops who were ordained during the past year, Cardinal Bertone reiterated the Pope’s call to fidelity, prudence and kindness.

“The Church is not our Church but rather the Church of God, and we must render an account for how we have administered what was entrusted to us,” he said, urging the bishops to be faithful to Jesus Christ and to work “for the community and not for ourselves.”

“Prudence demands humble, disciplined and vigilant reason, the Holy Father says, that is not blinded by prejudices. It does not judge according to desires and passions but rather seeks the truth,” the cardinal said.

He went on to urge the bishops to “cultivate a profound interior orientation towards God,” and to become saints like the holy Cure of Ars, “living our ministry according the Heart of Christ and the maternal heart of Mary.” 

“The Christian people need to see credible witnesses and to be guided by holy pastors,” Cardinal Bertone said.  “May this be the agenda for each one of us: to be holy in order to infect all those entrusted to our responsibility as pastors of the People of God with the love of Christ.”