Priests’ guns

After the recent killing of Fr. Richmond Nilo, there has been differing opinions among the faithful on issuing guns to priests. Some are in favor of doing so but our church leaders are very strong in echoing the teaching of the church for priests to be peacemakers. As herald of the good news, priests must be ready to face the worst including the possibility of being killed for the sake of the kingdom.

John the Baptist, whose feast we celebrate today, fearlessly denounced man’s self-centeredness by standing for the truth, the good and the right. Without being violent, he gave in being beheaded for the sake of favoring the will of the Lord. Although his perpetrators took his life, they failed to lose the respect of many for heroism.

As herald of the Good News, priests’ guns should be the Word of God. Called to evangelize, they must be armed with humility, powerlessness and lowliness. They must not seek any kind of power except for the power of the Word, of the God’s love and of self-giving.

May Mama Mary protect our priests.