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Mindanaoan priests should get involved in IRD

DAVAO CITY , June 25, 2009—A Redemptorist priest shared that as the Church celebrates this year the Year for Priests it is also an opportune time for the Mindanaoan priests to reflect on what is to be a priest in Mindanao .  

Fr. Amado Picardal said that in the context of the Mindanao situation where there is large number of Muslims, the priest must be involved in inter-religious dialogue (IRD) (Christian-Muslim dialogue).

“This means befriending Muslims especially the Imams and the Ulamas, working together with them to achieve peace, justice and development, praying with them, and identifying common or similar beliefs,” he added.

Picardal, also an expert in the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) said that priests must also encourage the lay people in the parish and in Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) to get involved in this dialogue of life and faith.

He continued, “PCP II considers the BECs as the realization of the vision of a renewed Church. It is a new way of being Church that requires a new way of being priest. This can be done by living out the four dimensions of the ordained ministry.”

Picardal said that the Year for Priests is also a fitting time to highlight the importance of priests in the life and mission of the Church.

“This also a time to reflect on the identity and ministry of the priest,” he said, adding:

“Following Christ the Good Shepherd, the priest is called to be the shepherd or the servant-leader of the Christian community. This means forming and leading the Christian community (in the parish and in the local communities/ BECs).”

In the Philippine context, Picardal said, the priest is also called to promote communion (sense of unity and sharing) among the laity and with them. “This means becoming close to the flock. Pastoral leadership is to be exercised in the spirit of service, and not in terms of power, privilege or prestige.”

He also said that a participative and collaborative style of leadership is to be adopted, rather than the authoritarian or laissez-faire style for this ministry is grounded on a spirituality of pastoral charity and communion.

Apart from that, Picardal said, the priest also exercises leadership in the liturgical/sacramental celebration of the Christian community.

“He enables the laity to actualize their common priesthood by promoting full and active participation in the liturgical celebration. He forms the parish and the BECs into truly priestly/worshipping community,” said Picardal.

“The community that celebrates what it lives and lives what it celebrates—a life of communion with God and with one another, of unity and sharing, of self-sacrifice. The liturgical/sacramental ministry requires spirituality nourished by the Eucharist and deepened by prayer and contemplation,” he ended.

(Mark S. Ventura)