Just as "the habit does not make the monk," taking a vow of poverty does not automatically mean a consecrated person lives with a detachment from material things, Pope Francis said.
In fact, "the hypocrisy of consecrated men and women who live like the rich wounds the consciences of the faithful and damages the Church," the Pope said in a written message on November 26 to treasurers of religious orders.
Taking a vow of poverty and having no personal property is not fulfilling the vow "if my institute allows me to manage or enjoy all the goods I desire," the Pope told the religious, who were in Rome for a symposium on economics and religious life.
