Pope on Holy Thursday Urges Priests to be Close to Sinners

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29 March 2018 18:45 WIB

Pope Francis blows inside an amphora containing holy oil during a Chrism Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 29, 2018. During the Mass the pontiff blesses a token amount of oil that will be used to administer the sacraments for the year. Pope Francis on Thursday urged priests to be spiritually close to their flocks and not insist only on preaching laws when they sin. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

29 Maret 2018 00:00 WIB

An amphora containing holy oil is carried in front of Pope Francis during a Chrism Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 29, 2018. During the Mass the pontiff blesses a token amount of oil that will be used to administer the sacraments for the year. Francis issued the guidance during Holy Thursday Mass, which is meant to show the unity of the Catholic Church during its most solemn, pre-Easter period. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

29 Maret 2018 00:00 WIB

An amphora containing holy oil is placed in front of Pope Francis during a Chrism Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 29, 2018. In his homily, Francis warned priests to not be tempted to "idolize" church law and doctrine when preaching, since that can distance ordinary faithful from Jesus. Even when people commit adultery, he said, priests should not condemn with legalisms. Rather, he said, priests should help adulterers to look forward, even if they have to tell them not to sin over and over. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

29 Maret 2018 00:00 WIB

Pope Francis celebrates a Chrism Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 29, 2018. The admonition came as conservatives have complained that Francis is dividing the church with his opening to letting divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Critics say Francis is disregarding church law about the indissolubility of marriage by effectively allowing adulterers access to the sacraments. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

29 Maret 2018 00:00 WIB

Pope Francis, flanked by Master of Ceremonies Bishop Guido Marini, right, celebrates a Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 29, 2018. Francis appeared to be answering the criticism with his Holy Thursday Mass, choosing specifically to preach about how priests should accompany adulterers during a Mass meant to demonstrate the unity of priests with their bishops. He told priests in St. Peter's Basilica that Jesus wasn't disregarding the law when, in the Biblical story, he refused to condemn an adulturer when he found her. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

29 Maret 2018 00:00 WIB

Pope Francis, white figure beneath the baldachin, celebrates a Chrism Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Thursday, March 29, 2018. Holy Thursday marks the start of an intense four days of activity leading up to Easter Sunday, including the Thursday afternoon ritual washing of the feet of 12 people, which Francis will perform at Rome's central Regina Coeli prison. The 12 inmates include Catholics, Muslims, an Orthodox Christian and a Buddhist, the Vatican said. They hail from Italy, the Philippines, Morocco, Moldova, Colombia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Vatican Media via AP

29 Maret 2018 00:00 WIB