Bishop explains why it is worth being a priest in Mexico

Within the framework of the jubilee of the clergy, held from June 23 to 27 in Rome, Mons. Hilario González García, Bishop of Saltillo (Mexico) since 2021, shared the reasons why, despite the risks, it is worth being a priest in his country, while recounted the details of his pilgrimage to the eternal city.

In the last 30 years, at least 80 priests have been killed In Mexico, which makes this nation one of the most dangerous in the world to exercise the priestly ministry. Despite this, in conversation with ACI Press, Mons. González responded with hope to this painful reality.

“You don’t have to be afraid to give life for Christ”

“Mexico is the country where good priests are happy giving their lives for Christ and for their church,” he said.

The prelate also stressed that the priestly vocation, even in difficult contexts, allows us to offer the best of oneself: “That is much more valuable than any human, economic or socio -political project, because it opens fullness horizons and overcomes the selfish tendency and superb that the world today proposes.”

In this context, he encouraged those who feel the call to the priesthood to respond generously: “I invite those who feel called to be honest and transparent in their aspirations, since, trusting in the grace and mercy of the Lord, give the first step of his vocational path saying ‘yes’ to the invitation of Jesus.”

“We must not be afraid to give life for Christ, nor should there be fear of offering it in the priestly service,” he concluded.

Four meetings with Leo XIV

The Prelate also revealed to ACI Press the details of the “edifying” experience in Rome, which served to “strengthen and encourage the spiritual bond”, as well as an opportunity to thank the “gift of life, the priestly vocation and the episcopal ministry.”

Coinciding with his 60th birthday, 30th anniversary of his priestly ordination and 10 of Episcopal Ministry, the Mexican bishop traveled “as a pilgrim” to the eternal city.

Throughout the week, Mons. González could listen to Pope Leo XIV four times. The first was during the meeting with the seminarians, who reminded him of his service as a trainer and the “great responsibility that implies accompanying the candidates in their initial training process.”

He also participated in the audience with bishops. From the speech of the Holy Father, he especially moved “the invitation to be men of theological life” and “remain firm in faith, convinced of God’s help so as not to lose hope and thus encourage others in the moments of proof,” he told ACI Press.

As for the Vocational International Meeting, he stressed that the call of the Pontiff was very important “to be more propositive, with the testimony of a happily delivered life.” On the other hand, on the Mass that Leo XIV presided in the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in which ordered 32 priestsThe Bishop of Saltillo highlighted the invitation of Pope León to “meet the promises we have made on our ordination.”

Celibacy, gift that “is requested, accepted and cultivated”

When commenting on the words of Pope Leon about Celibacy, who affirmed during his speech to the bishops that is More than living as a celibatethe bishop remarked that it is not only “a discipline or rule” or “a superhuman effort”, but “is a supernatural gift, which is requested, accepted and cultivated, and an answer that frees us to serve with the joy that springs from a heart that is known deeply loved.”

“For me, I suppose that I have to ‘make my consecration more to my consecration, be more humble and transparent in my interpersonal relationships, not to stop linked to more and more dedication and joy to the heart of Jesus,” he added.

Fight against abuses in the Church

During the encounter with the bishops, Pope Leo XIV also encouraged them to be “firm and determined” when treating abuses. The Mexican prelate said that bishops in their country are “complying with” these indications, “to be faithful to the protection of minors and to prevent those behaviors from being given.”

Each diocese, according to the Bishop of Saltillo, puts “human and institutional resources so that there are safe environments in our communities.”

He also highlighted the relevance of the formation of seminarians and priests, as well as to the people of consecrated life and of the communities, “to respond honestly and seek to purify attitudes that go against the straight experience of the Christian life in all areas.”

Church challenges in Mexico

The bishop said that, since the diocese of Saltillo, they are “trying to respond to the challenge of selfish individualism, which dismantles people’s hearts to love and serve generously, which withers interpersonal relationships, thus weakening community fabric and society.”

He also stressed that they are “in tune with the synodal experience” and that they work to “recover the identity and the joy of the filial experience with God.”

“The social projections of individualism see them in the disintegration of people (by abandonment, vices, addictions, loss of the meaning of personal and family life), in violence and cruelty in interpersonal relationships, in indifference and selfishness to help those in need. These challenges we try to assume with simplicity of heart and with the grace of God to help build their kingdom in our society,” he concluded.