A lot has been said in the last day about Pope Francis’ reform of the naming of monsignors. I don’t really have an opinion either way on the new reform. I think it was a nice custom and a nice honor for the individual priest and for his parish and diocese. Could clericalism and careerism take hold, sure. But know this, no one becomes a priest, gives up a natural family to wear red buttons. I became a priest to serve Jesus Christ and God’s Holy People. A seminarian I know sent along a homily by Bishop Peter Libasci when new monsignors were named in his diocese. Listen to it here. It is among the most powerful homilies I’ve ever heard and its a good reminder of what the custom of naming monsignors was really all about. Ultimately it’s all about witness.