In order to meet Jesus, the faithful have to recognize they are sinners in need of his salvation.
This was said by Fernando Colombo, the diocesan administrator of Rumbek, during the mass that opened the third day of the plenary assembly of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference taking place in Juba.He said only sinners need Jesus as saviour.
Fr Colombo said the church has been tempted to see itself as the place for the holy but as St Augustine put it that the church was saint and prostitute at the same time, a place for holy people and sinners.
The senior churchman warned against the temptation to show to the Lord one’ goodness instead of humility and need of mercy.
Fr Colombo alerted pastoral leaders to be vigilant against the temptation of favouring contacts with holy people and shy away from people with bad reputation.
He said Jesus was not ashamed to mix with public sinners and eat at their houses and today’s pastors should do the same.