The Priest and Caring for Those in Need

This lecture presents Pope Shenouda III teaching priests and servants about their deep responsibility toward the poor and needy—not only through material giving, but through compassion, endurance, and holistic care. He affirms that caring for the needy is not a secondary work, but an essential part of priesthood and Christian life.

1️⃣ The Broad Meaning of Need

Pope Shenouda III explains that need is not limited to the extremely poor but includes low-income families, the sick, university students, those preparing for marriage, and all who are burdened by increasing economic pressures.

2️⃣ The Priest as a Compassionate Father

The priest must be a tender heart to whom all people can resort—listening, supporting, and feeling their suffering. His role is not only kind words, but a real participation in relieving people’s pain.

3️⃣ Forms of Need

The lecture lists many forms of hardship:

• Insufficient income.

• Expensive illnesses and ongoing treatments.

• Marriage and housing requirements.

• Educational burdens.
  And shows how the Church must intervene wisely and mercifully.

4️⃣ Giving as a Spiritual Commandment

Pope Shenouda emphasizes that giving is not optional but a commandment, and that generosity returns as blessing to the giver. The priest himself is also called to give from his own money, not only from the Church’s resources.

5️⃣ The Danger of Priestly Luxury

He warns that a priest living in luxury becomes a stumbling block to the poor. Historical revolutions arose when clergy lived in extravagance. A true priest lives humbly and simply.

6️⃣ Holistic Care for the Needy

It is not enough to give money; the Church must study each family’s situation, provide employment, teach skills, treat illnesses, and even relocate families from spiritually harmful environments when needed.

7️⃣ Enduring the Poor with Patience

The Pope teaches that our mission is not only to help the poor but also to bear with their pressure, mistakes, and weaknesses until their spiritual life grows and their character becomes refined by love.

8️⃣ Mercy as a Standard of Judgment

He refers to Matthew 25 where Christ made mercy the measure of judgment, affirming that teaching and knowledge alone are not enough without practical love for the needy.

“For better translation support, please contact the center.”