Not expecting others to always work for free

A clerical way of proceeding, even if it were supported by very good intentions, would also lead one to expect others to carry out apostolic initiatives and projects, without taking into account the burden involved in carrying these out. It is clear that those who devote themselves to work for Christ must do so unselfishly, but it must not be forgotten that the apostle also needs to eat and be clothed, to feed his family and to rest.

You are witnesses that we have never refused to perform a service for souls, even if it cost us money. We know what St Paul said: Dominus ordinavit iis qui Evangelium annuntiant, de Evangelio vivere (1 Cor 9:14),³ those who proclaim the good news are to be provided with what is necessary. But we can also repeat what the Apostle said: non usi sumus hac potestate, sed omnia sustinemus, ne quod offendiculum demus Evangelio Christi (1 Cor 9:12), we have not made use of that right, and we suffer everything gladly, so as not to create difficulties for the Gospel of Christ.