SW News: The Holy Father wants the Church to be one that throws open its doors and listens to everyone, including sinners and the righteous. He made his intention clear while addressing bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon during the Vesper service on August 2.

Heaping praises on Portugal and its beauty and culture, he used its connection to the ocean to cite the Gospel passage where Jesus calls his first disciples on the shores of Galilee Sea. The Lord’s call came at a time when they had given up as the nets yielded nothing. The pontiff warned them not to fall into despair and hopelessness.

Citing the great challenges and instability, including the scandals, the pope said there can be a feeling of fatigue like the one experienced by Simon and other fishermen. He said it calls “us to a humble and constant purification, starting from the cry of suffering victims who must always be welcomed and listened to."
He exhorted everyone by saying that Catholic leaders and pastoral workers should not moor the boat to the sidelines or look back just because it scares them. “it is necessary to leave the margin of disappointment and immobility to move away from that honeyed sadness and that ironic cynicism that assail us in the face of difficulties,” he said.

The Holy Father said it is now the time of grace to venture into the sea of evangelization and cast nets. He quoted missionary priest Fr Antonio Vieira who said, “to be born is to be in Portugal and to die is to die in the wide world out there.”

Pope Francis also cited the example of St John de Brito who left for India braving odds centuries ago to preach the Gospel. The saint did not refrain from speaking and dressing in the manner of the natives in order to preach Jesus before them. The Supreme Pontiff reminded bishops, clergy and religious that they are called to dialogue with all people so that the Gospel is understandable even in the midst of storms.

Quoting St Peter who said “We are the living stones”, the pope used the imagery of a sidewalk saying the Portuguese believers form the precious tiles adorning it and making it bright for the Gospel to step on. He also urged them to be fishers of men setting sail in the world’s sea.

Before concluding, he expressed his dream that the Portuguese Church becomes a “safe haven for those facing the crossings, shipwrecks and storms of life."