1. We, 104 priests of Christ, who are responsible for building up the Kingdom of God in the northeast dioceses came to participate in the seminar on “The Pastoral Role of the priest through the Word in the context of the northeast culture” at the Khonkaen during 21—25 January 2008, have studied and discerned together
on the pastoral care through the Word.
2. We realize the important role as advised by the pastoral constitution “Dei Verbuni” through “Listening”
to the Word with devotion and to “Proclaiming” the Word with conviction (Dv, 1).
3. In the role of ‘listening’ the Word of God with devotion we realize that the Word of God is a heart—piercing sword and the power of the Spirit ‘converts’ us and makes us love the Word before we would renew the love of God among the faithful. Hence, we set our resolution thus:
3.1 We will open our hearts to receive the value and spirit of the Gospel.
3.2 We will listen to the Word which is speaking to us with prayers and deep communion with God.
3.3 We will discern His Word until we ‘really understand’ it through our own personal experiences.
3.4 Through discernment we will bring it to our own actions until our lives are changed in accordance
with God’s will.
All these gestures make us think and desire to live a life like God which is the meaning and aim of the Christian life.
4. In the role of the ‘one who proclaims’ we must realize the value of the Gospel which already exists in the intellect and beautiful minds of the northeastern people and we have to provide the pastoral care by using the Word to heal and develop these values; meanwhile we should be aware also of the local problems which can be both the obstacle and opportunity for the pastoral care through the Word.
5. Role of the “one who proclaims” demands that we dedicate our heart and soul, time and resources, to
build up consciousness for love of the Word among our parishioners through various means, such as: Bible sessions
for the children, youth and adults; promotion of Bible reading both personally or as a group; promotion of
owning the Bible book; promotion and support of “way of parish life” groups; Word sharing among all the
parish activity groups and dissemination of the Word in all the media branches.
6. It is the responsibility of the priest, individually and collectively, to study the culture, social and economic
conditions of the northeast in order to enable them to provide the pastoral care relevant to the local situation
of the 4 northeastern dioceses, to promote vital culture that will effectively contribute toward development and
good understanding among various communities, to proclaim the Word in consonance with the local situation
and to lead the northeastern people to the Kingdom of God by means of the local tradition and culture and
adapt them in the liturgical ceremonies and preaching through inculturation.
7. We are all aware of the precept on the day of our priestly ordination: “Believe in what your read, preach what you believe and do what you preach.
