The Priest’s Dealing with Sinners
In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents deep pastoral teaching on how a priest should deal with sinners. He affirms that expelling sinners from the church is not the Christian approach, but attracting them with love, gentleness, and repentance. The church is not a place for the righteous only, but a spiritual hospital for the sick, and the priest is a spiritual physician whose task is to heal souls, not dismiss them.
1. The example of Christ is the original model
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Christ never rejected sinners but drew them to Himself, as with Zacchaeus, the sinful woman, the prodigal son, and the lost ones in Luke 15.
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He said: “The healthy do not need a physician, but the sick,” and the priest is called to the same path.
2. The dangers of expelling sinners
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Expulsion creates feelings of rejection and drives souls away from the church and perhaps from faith entirely.
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It may cause hatred toward clergy and servants and leaves deep wounds that are hard to heal.
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Expulsion cleans the appearance of the church but does not heal the person, which the Gospel rejects.
3. The difference between the shepherd and the ordinary person
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The shepherd can interact with sinners to attract them, while an ordinary person may fall with them.
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Ministry requires maturity, experience, and spiritual strength that allows the priest to influence without being influenced.
4. Gentleness in rebuke and avoiding harshness
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Rebuke is necessary, but in gentleness and meekness.
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Saint Paul warned with tears, not with violence or hurtful words.
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Harshness turns sermons into repulsion and strips the church of its spirituality.
5. Pastoral alternatives to expulsion
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Instead of expelling noisy or troubling youth, they must be embraced and taught in suitable rooms.
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Assign trained servants to follow them gently and lead them to spiritual benefit.
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Provide alternatives: children’s liturgies, youth lessons, and organized spaces.
6. The danger of strict teaching
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Absolute prohibitions (such as condemning those with televisions or certain appearances) cause stumbling.
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One must not extract isolated verses to condemn people, but understand Scripture fully with a spirit of love and meekness.
7. The priest’s responsibility toward all
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The priest is responsible for sinners before the righteous, for Christ’s ministry was directed to them first.
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Expulsion is easy, but its consequences are dangerous, and God may judge the priest for the neglected soul.
8. The example of Moses the prophet
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Moses led a stubborn people with great meekness and long-suffering, interceding for them even after their fall.
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He offers a model of pastoral care filled with patience and love rather than harshness.
9. The ultimate goal
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Not hurting sinners nor expelling them, but leading them to repentance with wisdom and gentleness.
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Firmness exists, but without injustice, offense, or physical or verbal violence.
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The church calls all to salvation, and the priest must open its doors, not close them.
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