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| HOME ENG » Church » Pope Francis » The Art of Accompaniment 
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The Art of Accompaniment  Pope Francis invites us, in the Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium,” to «remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other»
 Ordained ministers and pastoral workers are called to « make present the fragrance of Christ’s closeness and his personal gaze». «The Church will have to initiate everyone—priests, religious and laity—into this “art of accompaniment” which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life», we read in No. 169 of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation of “Evangelii Gaudium.” And No. 171 says: «Today more than ever we need men and women who, on the basis of their experience of accompanying others, are familiar with processes which call for prudence, understanding, patience and docility to the Spirit, so that they can protect the sheep from wolves who would scatter the flock. We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur».
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