Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 319

demanded of vocation directors and formators: candidates today, as much as

ever, need to be given a sound intellectual and human formation which will

enable them not only to respond to the real questions and needs of their

contemporaries, but also to mature in their own conversion and to persevere

in life-long commitment to their vocation. As Bishops, you are conscious of

the sacrifice demanded when you are asked to release one of your finest

priests for seminary work. I urge you to respond with generosity, for the

good of the whole Church.

Finally, I think you know from experience that most of your brother

priests are happy in their vocation. What I said in my address about the

importance of unity and cooperation within the presbyterate applies here

too. There is a need for all of us to move beyond sterile divisions, disagree-

ments and preconceptions, and to listen together to the voice of the Spirit

who is guiding the Church into a future of hope. Each of us knows how

important priestly fraternity has been in our lives. That fraternity is not

only a precious possession, but also an immense resource for the renewal of

the priesthood and the raising up of new vocations. I would close by encour-

aging you to foster opportunities for ever greater dialogue and fraternal

encounter among your priests, and especially the younger priests. I am con-

vinced that this will bear great fruit for their own enrichment, for the in-

crease of their love for the priesthood and the Church, and for the effective-

ness of their apostolate.

Dear Brother Bishops, with these few observations, I once more en-

courage all of you in your ministry to the faithful entrusted to your pastoral

care, and I commend you to the loving intercession of Mary Immaculate,

Mother of the Church.