354. Речь к новопосвященному Епископу Дмитровскому, Порфирию

(Said in Miracle Mon. November 21; printed in Works of the Holy Father, 1858 and in collection 1861) The Holy Apostle Paul, having taught Saints Timothy and Titus by secret episcopal ordination the enlightening and wise grace of the All-Holy Spirit, nevertheless found it necessary to teach them episcopal action through his epistles. The Holy Church, always faithful to its laws, commanded us from the secret ordination to the field of episcopal action to admonish you with a word of edification. Fulfilling this command, we point out to you the very same 863 instructions, no longer unknown to you, that Saint Paul taught to Saints Timothy and Titus. You, of course, will not seek 864 the objection to this that these were apostolic men. The episcopacy also exists today, which began with the descent of the Holy Spirit and the apostolic ordination. If we are far from the apostolic men, then it is our fault. It is not time that removes us from them, but the lack of zeal to imitate them. We must look at their image as a guiding lamp, and especially 865 when the day of faith intensifies 866 to eclipse the false wisdom of passion, the prevailing vanity and sensuality. It is especially timely now to remember the apostolic rule: “without their elders, let bishops do nothing, but only within their own limits; and the elder, without them, creates nothing, a union that is useful for everyone” (Apostle Rule XXXIV). How wonderful is the structure of the Church, whose unity of power the holy Apostles protected with this rule, and which, using it as a warning to some, without a doubt, generally observed it! It shows in bishops one soul; and the more clearly the Church reveals itself as one body. Not many of our bishops are necessarily placed in consultative relations with the elders: I don’t know how many are disposed to enter into such relations voluntarily, according to the instructions of the synodal charter (Spiritual Regulations on Episcopal Art. IV). But it goes without saying that with a lack of episcopal communication, the experience of some cannot bear the fruits that it could bring through the advice given, and the inexperience of others can sometimes bear immature fruits of immaturely deliberate action. In church action, only that which is based on the word of God, the rules of the church 867, the teaching and example of the Saints is firm and reliable. But even a strong stone, not every hand, and not always one hand, can put it to work well. I advise you, as myself, not to rely arrogantly on your own wisdom, but to love the sincere 868 fraternal council of your fellow bishops 869 . “Salvation... is in much counsel,” teaches the Wise One (Proverbs 11:14). Accept the staff of authority not with the thought of the importance of the leader, but with the thought that our strength is insufficient for our service, and that we need support given from above. Handwritten The author’s question was: “how to do this? “It’s best to point out those to you.” Handwritten the author used to say: “you will.” Handwritten The author's first words were “especially” and “threatened.” Handwritten the author's words are inserted after. You might be interested in: