Concern for the Identity of the Priest in Light of Benedict XVI’s Teaching

In the article, the author reflects on the issue of priestly identity, being experienced in a mature way, in light of the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI. Based on an analysis of the Pope’s selected state­ments addressed to the clergy, three fundamental, internal dimensions of priestly identity have...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Plata, Łukasz (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2025
In: Verbum vitae
Year: 2025, Volume: 43, Issue: 4, Pages: 1053-1078
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Priest / Priest (Motif) / Priestly training / Benedikt, XVI., Pope 1927-2022
IxTheo Classification:AH Religious education
FB Theological education
KDB Roman Catholic Church
NBN Ecclesiology
RB Church office; congregation
RF Christian education; catechetics
Further subjects:B Benedict XVI
B concern for formation
B Priest
B priestly identity
B Clergy
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Summary:In the article, the author reflects on the issue of priestly identity, being experienced in a mature way, in light of the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI. Based on an analysis of the Pope’s selected state­ments addressed to the clergy, three fundamental, internal dimensions of priestly identity have been identified: spiritual, psychological, and intellectual. They should find expression in the priest’s external ministry as a shepherd and minister of the sacraments, a witness to the world, as well as a teacher and evangelizer. The juxtaposition of these two dimensions—internal and external—illustrates their mutual complementarity, which determines the need for their integral development. The article demonstrates the formative potential of Benedict XVI’s teaching for the renewal of priestly life in the contempo­rary Church.
ISSN:2451-280X
Contains:Enthalten in: Verbum vitae
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.31743/vv.18832