I didn’t know where to begin my response to your letter, because it touched me deeply, and I asked God to help me write something that would be useful to both of us in our mission. Your prayers help me a lot, and the entire community is very grateful to you. Even though we are far away, we feel your concern for us as if you were here.
We do not lose hope and trust that God, through your authority and leadership, can help resolve many problems in our Church in Africa. Saint Paul already warned against revelry and drunkenness, but it seems that, compared to other sins, these are seen as permissible. They even occur in honor of martyred saints. We should avoid these shameful practices at the tombs of saints, in places of worship, and in houses of prayer.
If we in Africa were the first to eliminate this bad custom, it would be an example to follow. In Italy and in many other Churches, this practice never spread or was eliminated. How can we hesitate to correct something so immoral? We must heal the wound that this custom has caused, and we should resolve it with the authority of the Council.
But not harshly, rather gently and kindly. These problems are not solved with strict orders. Instead of commanding, we should teach; instead of threatening, we should advise. We must treat people this way so that they fear God because of our words and not us because of our authority. And the more spiritual among them will be impressed, and with their gentle but firm rebukes, the rest of the people will change.
Ignorant people organize drunken revelries in martyrs’ cemeteries, thinking they are honoring them. Let us eliminate this shameful practice by showing that it is forbidden in the Bible. Offerings for the dead are acceptable if made with humility and fervor. If someone wishes to donate money for religious purposes, let them give it to the poor immediately, piously, and honestly.
The root of these vices is pride and the desire for praise, which often leads to hypocrisy. Therefore, we must act as models of patience and humility: if I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of God.
It is important not to rejoice in human honors and flattery, and to avoid all vanity, directing everything toward the benefit and salvation of those who honor us. What is more fragile than someone who is swayed by flattery, knowing it to be false? Pain will come to the soul if the desire for flattery is not broken now.
I trust in your spiritual strength and share these thoughts with you. We must keep our minds focused on God, and if we are praised without reason, we should correct those we can so they don’t think we have what we don’t have, or that what we have is ours and not God’s.
If we are praised for something genuine, let us celebrate with those who appreciate goodness, not with ourselves to please others. Praise should be given to God, the owner of all good things. I repeat this to myself every day; I fight against this enemy.
