At the opening of the "Year for Priests" (copyeditors note: for not of) Pope Benedict XVI has released an extended letter to priests worldwide.
In his exhortation, the Holy Father emphasizes the themes of service, devotion and piety. Using the example of St. Jean Vianney, the "Curé of Ars," and patron of parish priests, the pope underscores the image of priest as a (to use some Jesuit lingo) "man for others." Interestingly, within the body of this extended meditation, there is this exhortation to "sectors" of cooperation with the laity, that need to be opened "more fully."
"His [St. Jean Vianney's] example naturally leads me to point out that there are sectors of co-operation which need to be opened ever more fully to the lay faithful. Priests and laity together make up the one priestly people and in virtue of their ministry priests live in the midst of the lay faithful, "that they may lead everyone to the unity of charity, 'loving one another with mutual affection; and outdoing one another in sharing honour'". Here we ought to recall the Vatican Council II's hearty encouragement to priests "to be sincere in their appreciation and promotion of the dignity of the laity and of the special role they have to play in the Church's mission. ... They should be willing to listen to lay people, give brotherly consideration to their wishes, and acknowledge their experience and competence in the different fields of human activity. In this way they will be able together with them to discern the signs of the times."
The full text of the letter is here on Zenit.
