Pastoral charge of Monseigneur Augustin Louis de Montblanc, Archbishop of Tours, for the Lent of 1840

Abstract

The first duty of the pastors established by the Holy Spirit as rulers over the church of God, is that of guarding with fidelity the flock confided to their charge. Unwearied sentinels their eyes should be fixed day and night upon the camp of the Lord, in order to detect the slightest movement of the enemy, and to utter the cry of alarm in case of a sudden and unexpected attack. This duty we are now called upon to fulfil; dearly beloved brethren, even at the risk of wounding certain susceptibilities - but when the defence of the faith is in question, a minister of the gospel must exclaim with Saint Paul, "Do I now persuade men or God, or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." This, dearly beloved brethren, is our apology, if indeed we need any in your eyes, for it is not probable that our desire to announce to you the truth should induce you to consider us your enemy...[Excerpt]