Shepherds in Distress

In both Roman Catholic and Protestant churches the office of the priest and pastor is the best expression of the shepherding role. In recent world history as in the case of the death of Pope John Paul II, many issues came out into the open. The whole Christian church is on fire! This is because many of our shepherds are in distress--they face tremendous stress in their vocation. The shepherds are trying to swim in the church's moral and ethical landscape which, prohibits them to do certain moral acts because these are contrary to the Gospel which they preach. The many experiences of violations of moral norms and Christian ethical standards have come to the point where the members have already come out and indict their shepherds of their immoral acts. In the U.S. itself there are a good number of cases of shepherds priests, pastors, and bishops in distress. It is high time that the laity members should pray for their shepherds.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not be in want (Psalm 23:1).