A Catholic cardinal in Mongolia stressed the irreplaceable role of priests in the Church while openly acknowledging their human weakness, calling on the faithful to support clergy through prayer and understanding.
Cardinal Giorgio Marengo said that “without priests, we would not have the fullness of the sacramental encounter with the living and risen Christ,” during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
The liturgy, held ahead of the Holy Triduum, gathered priests from across the local Church to renew their ordination promises, a central moment in the Church’s annual calendar.
In his homily, Marengo said ordained ministry is the means by which Christ remains present in the world, saying the priesthood makes possible a real encounter with the living Christ “here and now,” mediated through visible signs that reach believers “to the most intimate fibers” of their lives.
The prelate also pointed to the demanding path toward priesthood, stressing that vocation begins with God’s initiative.
“This is why one does not propose oneself to the priesthood, but is chosen for it,” he said, describing a long process of discernment and formation that precedes ordination.
At the same time, the cardinal acknowledged the limits and struggles faced by clergy. “It is true, sometimes we priests too make mistakes; we fail to live fully the vocation we have received. We are all fragile, marked by many wounds,” he said.
He urged lay faithful to stand with priests as they carry out their ministry. “To be faithful, we need your understanding and your prayers,” he said, thanking communities for their continued support despite what he described as the “obvious limitations” of clergy.
The cardinal expressed his gratitude both to priests and to the faithful for their shared responsibility in sustaining the Church’s life and mission in Mongolia.
