7 Ways to Priestly Simplicity

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas

The Christmas message of Pope Francis to the Roman Curia seems so loud it reaches the coast of the Philippines. In his New Year message to the clergy of his diocese, the CBCP President and prelate of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in the Philippines strongly enjoin his priests to live simply as a sign of solidarity with the poor. 

In his circular entitled “The Priests in the Year of the Poor”, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas remind his priests of the original reason of the vocation to the priesthood, which with the passing of time was overshadowed by materialism and clericalism. To live out the call to simplicity, Villegas gave 7 discipline points that priests must impose on themselves in order for the Gospel to glow them. 

1.  Avoid as much as you can foreign travels and frequent recreation in expensive tourist destinations.

2.  High end cars and expensive vehicles smack of vainglory and luxury especially in a province like ours where there are so many who are poor who cannot afford a tricycle ride.

3.  We need to return to the clerical attire or clerical cross in public places as a form of witnessing to the poverty of Christ.

4.  It is a serious sin of omission for a priest not to have a regular poor person to help whether for education, health or livelihood.

5.  We must be honest in reporting to the Curia the true financial condition of the parish or school.

6.  We need to re examine what we keep in our bedrooms. A priest’s room and a bachelor’s pad are exact opposites.

7. Always give alms to the poor who come to you.

As the Philippines celebrates the Year of the Poor, Villegas said there are many things to be done but the first in the list is the simplification of priestly lifestyle. He likewise said that he imposes the discipline mentioned above first to himself before he invites the rest of the clergy.