Saint Benedict of Nursia …

…judges Francis’ idea on the pastor

  • A monk should hate vice, but correct with prudence

Let him be chaste, sober, and merciful, and let him always exalt mercy above judgment (Jas 2:13), that he also may obtain mercy. Let him hate vice, but love the brethren. And even in his corrections, let him act with prudence and not go to extremes, lest, while he aimeth to remove the rust too thoroughly, the vessel be broken. Let him always keep his own frailty in mind, and remember that the bruised reed must not be broken (Is 42:3). In this we are not saying that he should allow evils to take root. (Saint Benedict of Nursia. The Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 64)

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