ABSTRACT

Priestly fraternity remains as the pillar of unity and mutual support within the Catholic priesthood and the Church, with deep roots in its theological and historical tradition. This is because, rather than being a collegial ministry, the Priesthood is deeply ingrained with a high degree of individuality. Because of the aforementioned mindset, many priests choose not to participate in specific diocesan events in order to avoid certain brother priests. It eventually led to some priests finding it challenging to share, concelebrate, and even live in the same parish house, which to some extent has negative impacts to the work of evangelization. In the pursuit of the Church's mission to evangelize, priestly fraternity serves as a vital witness, reflecting the essential values of community and collaborative ministry. This study aims to comprehensively explore the role of priestly fraternity as a witness in the service of evangelization and to identify strategies for overcoming the manifold challenges it faces. This paper delves into the essence of priestly fraternity, the multifaceted role it plays in evangelization, and the challenges it encounters. The challenges encompass personal differences and conflict, workload and burnout, secularization, resource constraints, and credibility issues. It will offer a range of practical recommendations to address these challenges, emphasizing the significance of collaboration, open communication, support systems, and ongoing formation. It highlights the relevance of priestly fraternity in contemporary society, showing how it can adapt and thrive in a changing world while inspiring a renewed commitment to evangelization. The findings and insights derived from this research contribute to the broader understanding of the essential role of priestly fraternity in fulfilling the Catholic Church's mission of proclaiming the Gospel and nurturing the faith of its members. It seeks to fortify the unity and mutual encouragement among priests, ultimately enhancing their witness in the service of evangelization and rejuvenating the Church's mission in the modern age.