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The Duty of Pastors

No priest of the Lord is free to be ignorant of the statutes of the Apostolic See.

- St. Siricius, Letter to Bishop Himerius of Tarragona, February 11, 385

Carefully investigate the directors given charge of boys and young men in seminaries and colleges, and the courses they are to follow, the teachers chosen for secondary schools, and the schools which are to be run. Keep out the ravening wolves who do not spare the flock of innocent lambs, and expel them if necessary by the way they entered.

- Pius VII, iu Satis, May 15, 1800

Remember that your duty is not the extension of a human realm, but of Christ's; and remember that your goal is that acquisition of citizens for a heavenly fatherland, and not for an earthly  one.

- Benedict XV, maximum Illud, 1919

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to god; not for filthy lucre's sake, but voluntarily. ...And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.

- St. Peter, First Epistle 5:2, 4, c.45

Be zealously affected to command in all the churches the pure tradition be held.

- St Agatho I, Letter to the Third Council of Constantinople, November 15, 680

Venerable Brethren, of what nature and magnitude is the care that must be taken by you in the forming of the clergy to holiness! All other tasks must yield to this one.

- St. Pius X, E Supremi, October 4, 1903