During his Homily at a Mass to mark the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life in St Chadâs Cathedral, Birmingham, the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley said that the privileged position occupied by Religious in the Church is ânot the privilege of honour and recognitionâ, but âthe privilege of being chosen by Jesus to befriend those who most need to know his loveâ.
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Highlighting the words of the Gospel, âI call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Fatherâ, the Archbishop developed the theme of friendship. He said âour Lord offer us an insight into those we should seek out and befriendâ, not necessarily âthose whose friendship might bring us honour or the favourable opinion of othersâ. He said âwe need to be aware of where our energies and service are most needed and where they will have the greatest impact on othersâ.
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âThe Church does not exist to benefit its own members but âto be of service to the worldâ and Religious are an âessential componentâ in the âmission and witness of the Churchâ.
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He acknowledged the âvital contribution to the life of the Archdioceseâ played by Religious in their many different communities and variety of works and said that the witness of community life, although not without its âparticular challengesâ, is ânoticed and valuedâ within our parishes.
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To conclude, the Archbishop gave a special note of thanks to those who were celebrating their special jubilees of Religious profession in 2014. He thanked them for their âcommitment and dedicationâ and prayed that âGod and his loving-kindness be ever present to you in the years aheadâ.