"A former Archbishop of Washington was known to often remark, 'There’s nothing deader than a dead priest.' Some wondered as to the meaning of this expression, and those who knew him the best explained that it was a sort of version of the old Latin expression Corruptio optime pessima (The corruption of the best is the worst thing of all).
"Of all the men on the planet who need to be alive, vocal, clear, and active, the priest is one of the most critical. For if he is doing as he should, and like a herald, summoning the faithful to be true to the gospel. He can reach thousands, who in turn can reach thousands more. But if he fails, the whole chain of the gospel is broken at the critical link and falls to the ground.
"The same Archbishop also told us priests that if we did not go to bed tired most nights, something was wrong. There is nothing deader than a dead priest."
In a recent commentary (using examples from Pope Saint Gregory the Great's Pastoral Rule,), Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of priests working hard and speaking/preaching the Good News.
To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:
Msgr. Charles Pope: A Silent Priest is a Dead Priest – A Meditation on a Teaching of St. Gregory the Great (22 OCT 14)
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