Newly Ordained Priests, Deacons in South Africa Cautioned against Clericalism, Urged to Foster “synodal” Priesthood

Mariannhill, 14 July, 2025 / 4:55 PM

Candidates for Holy Orders, coming from among the people of God and sent back to the people of God to serve them, must steer off clericalism, the tendency, on the part of the Clergy, to emphasize authority and influence to the detriment of the Laity, Bishop Neil Augustine Frank of South Africa’s Catholic Diocese of Mariannhill has said.

Addressing nine Deacons he ordained Priests and four Seminarians he ordained Deacons, Bishop Frank challenged them to foster a “synodal” model of Priesthood.

Priesthood is inseparable from synodality, he said referring to the Synod on Synodality, the multi-year initiative that the late Pope Francis extended to 2024, realized under the theme, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”.

Citing the Letter to the Hebrews, Bishop Frank said, “Every high Priest chosen from among the people is appointed to act on behalf of the people in relation to God. These words give us the first lesson of ‘synodality’ for the Priesthood.”

“The Priest or Deacon must realize that he comes from the people of God. While his ordination sets him apart by defining his lifestyle and purpose, he is not separated from the people in any elite way. Any notion of ‘clericalism’ forgets this fundamental teaching,” he emphasized in his July 12 homily during the Ordination event at Our Lady of Consolation Marian Shrine in Kevelaer.

The South African member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) likened the Clergy to “a pilgrim,” who is involved in “making the journey to salvation, along with all the people of God.”

“My sons, in today’s Church, you must learn what it means to be a synodal Priest. The spirit of the synodal dynamic animates the Priesthood and its style shapes the Priesthood,” he told the Priests-elect and Deacons-elect.

He went on to explain that “synodal dynamic and Priesthood” must have a mutual relationship because of the specific role of the Priesthood within the people of God – the spirit of the Priesthood and its style, which he said “influences and determines practically the synodal dynamic.”

For this reason, Bishop Frank emphasized the need for the nine Priests-elect and four Deacons-elect “to understand the theology, and the ecclesiology of synodality” because they are the “chief agent – among other ecclesiastical agents – to ensure the growth of the Church in the mission of Jesus.”

“Synodality emphasizes that all the people of God – that is, the entire Church – are responsible for the mission of the Church. Your responsibility, as Priests and Deacons, is to promote the mission of the people, so that they rightfully fulfil their role in achieving the mission,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Mariannhill Diocese following his appointment in October 2022 further explained the responsibility of Priests and Deacons to the people of God, saying it involves empowering, training, walking, and working with a primary mission of bringing the life of God to the people.

“Our mission is not just to the people in the Church, but it is to all people, even those outside the Church, those yet to receive the word of life,” he said in his July 12 homily.

Bishop Frank continued, “The synodal dynamic necessarily works with relational and communicative interactions – talking and listening to each other, communicating the information that is needed.”

For this reason, he said, the synodal Priest needs skills in interpersonal relationships and appropriate means of realizing effective communication. He urged the Priests-elect and Deacons-elect to learn additional skills that foster Priestly ministry, including a level of transparency with confidants, overall accountability and teamwork among others.

“Be transparent and accountable in all you do. Consult; never act alone. Learn how to make a decision before taking it; learn to animate the convergence of consensus, so that everyone is included and walks to the same goal,” he said.

He went on, “I keep saying you must learn. The synodal Church is a learning church. We are constantly learning. Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks through the Word of God; he speaks through the People of God; he speaks through the situation of our lives. Learn to listen. Learn to discern.”

The South African Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in February 2022 as Coadjutor Bishop of Mariannhill Diocese emphasized, “The Synodal Priest has the disposition of constantly learning. Learning from other ecclesial subjects, from different points of view, and from experts in all fields.”

Bishop Frank told the candidates for Holy Orders that the tools to learn are at their disposal, including the word of God. He said, “Ask yourself what is the power of God’s word? What is the effectiveness of God’s command? Look through the scriptures and meditate on how God’s word has achieved its purpose. See the power of that word in Jesus, the Word made flesh.”

The power of God’s word, he said, “is put into your mouth. May the words spoken through your mouth bring the fullness of life to people. You, for your part, must sit with his word every day, in silent prayer so that it is first effective in your life: keeping you chaste and obedient, empowering you to be the servant; forming you in the spirit of Jesus himself.”

“My sons, learn the style of synodality,” Bishop Frank reemphasized, and continued, “Experience the power of the word in your own life. Keep your heart undivided in the service of God and God’s people. We rejoice today with you as you receive this great gift.”