Benedict XVI has written to the world's seminarians, telling them that the world needs priests who can serve God wholeheartedly and bring God to others.
The Pope encouraged seminarians to overcome any doubts about the value of the priesthood and priestly celibacy that may have been prompted by priests who "disfigured" their ministry by sexually abusing children. He said that "even the most reprehensible abuse cannot discredit the priestly mission".
The papal letter, released at the Vatican today, was an unexpected postscript to the Year for Priests, which ended in June. The text began on a remarkably personal note, with the Pope recalling the development of his own vocation during World War II.
