This church with which we should be thinking is the home…
““This church with which we should be thinking is the home of all, not a small chapel that can hold only a small group of selected people. We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest protecting our mediocrity. And the church is Mother; the church is fruitful. It must be. You see, when I perceive negative behavior in ministers of the church or in consecrated men or women, the first thing that comes to mind is: ‘Here’s an unfruitful bachelor’ or ‘Here’s a spinster.’ They are neither fathers nor mothers, in the sense that they have not been able to give spiritual life. Instead, for example, when I read the life of the Salesian missionaries who went to Patagonia, I read a story of the fullness of life, of fruitfulness.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The universal church should be inclusive, nurturing all, not exclusive or mediocre.
In simple terms: Church must be inclusive and nurturing.
Key Takeaway
Promote openness and fruitfulness.
Themes
inclusion
spirituality
community
Mood
reflective
encouraging
Type
theological
motivational
When to use this quote
- parish outreach
- missionary work
- leadership training
- faith education
Key Concepts
universality
fruitfulness
leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions stay inclusive?
- What does fruitfulness mean in leadership?
A Different Perspective
Balancing tradition with openness can be challenging.