For Divine Mercy to work well in a priest’s life, the Catholic bishop said one needs to “cultivate a strong sense in your heart that you are a sinner, you are imperfect and you need God’s mercy and compassion.”
The Local Ordinary for the Diocese of Kimberley said that the fruits of devotion to Divine Mercy are realized after a Priest acknowledges his unworthiness for the priesthood.
He said the unworthiness of the priesthood and the acceptance of one’s sinful nature gives credit to God as the one who calls people because his heart is full of compassion and mercy.
“You will have to cultivate the attitude in your heart, the heart that has a strong sense that I am a sinner and imperfect and that it is by the mercy of God that He has allowed me to serve in His Vineyard,” said the 58-year-old. -former bishop who has headed the Diocese of Kimberley since April 2021.
He added: “You will have to ask God for the grace to have this attitude in your heart and also for the grace to be able to cooperate with this grace of God.”
The South African bishop who began his episcopal ministry as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa in February 2016 said all Christians should be devoted to Divine Mercy.
“This message is not addressed only to the new Priest; it is also addressed to all of us; it is also addressed to me as your Bishop and Priests”, he emphasized, adding: “The message is also addressed to you as faithful; Do not forget to have devotion to that Divine Mercy in your parishes, brotherhoods, youth groups, choir families and as individuals”.
In his homily, Bishop Tsoke also urged the deacon who was about to ordain a priest to serve all Christians, regardless of their social class.
He warned against discrimination, saying, “Sometimes we as priests and bishops make the mistake of paying attention to members of our parish who are wealthy and powerful; those who can give us special envelopes often at the expense of neglecting the poor, vulnerable and voiceless in our parishes.”
He clarified: “I am not saying that Church members who are well should be ignored because they also need God; all I’m saying is be aware of such trends and errors and treat God’s people fairly and equally knowing that you are sent to make disciples of all nations.”
