Anthony ecclesiastic man

Francis left as a testament to his monks the advice to love the Church and "to be faithful subjects of the prelates and clergy of the holy Roman Church," emphasising that he "wants to fear, love and honour as his lords" all priests, even those who are poor sinners. Francis never voiced a single word of objection or criticism or reprimand against the men of the church. In them "I see the Son of God" only! He wanted his monks to have this filial love for the Church. Anthony is "Franciscan" in this way, as well. He loves the Church and puts himself at its complete disposition. The Church, for him, is the family in which believers live, "He who wants to possess God and find the sure way to intimacy with Him must stay in his family, because it is here that the relationships with the heavenly Father and our brothers realises itself in faith and love." The Saint felt this love for the Church strongly and it compelled him to take on the hard work of evangelism. He lived this love, however, remaining true to his own temperament. In Francis this was expressed as filial veneration which was subjected to the hierarchy, while in Anthony it became a strong and shocking reproof. The Saint does not spare the men of the Church who do not represent Jesus Christ in a worthy way, from harsh and cutting words, regardless of whether they are simple priests and religious or bishops and cardinals. "The lookouts of the Church are all blind, without the light of life and science, mute dogs, incapable of barking. They see ghosts since they pray for money... Archbishops, bishops and prelates of the Church come and go, buy and sell and resell the truth with lies and they oppress justice with simony. The family of faithful is separated from the stability of faith and the sanctity of life due to the example of evil prelates...." It is the love for the Church, and the zeal for the salvation of the brothers that puts words of fire in Anthony's mouth, words that burn and have repercussions on lives, often provoking conversion and reform, and which makes him a frank and free prophet. The heart of Anthony beats in unison with that of Jesus and the bitterness of the Lord in front of the hardness of the hearts of the Pharisees is Anthony's own bitterness, "Oh, today if a donkey falls down, there is someone who will pull it up; a soul perishes and no one will help it!" .