.- The Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach, reminded priests last week that celibacy “should be embraced and lived out as a priceless gift from God,” despite efforts by some to portray it as the reason for sexual abuse within the Church.
The cardinal made his statements during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Barcelona last week and thanked the priests in attendance for their “ministerial work” and “fidelity to God and to the Church.”
He encouraged them to find “in your personal relationship with the Good Shepherd, the strength, the courage and the comfort of your pastoral work.”
Referring to the false accusations by the media against Pope Benedict XVI for his handling of cases of sexual abuse by some clergy members, Cardinal Sistach invited the faithful to pray for the Holy Father “so that the Lord might comfort him and grant him courage and peace.”
