Lack of Truth, the Major Disease of our Age --Joseph Ratzinger

Veracity is a fundamental priestly virtue which must be cultivated in seminary.

"...[T]he lack of truth is the major disease of our age. Success and results have outstripped the truth everywhere. Renouncing the truth and escaping into group conformity are only apparently a way to peace. Such types of communion are built on sand. The pain of truth is the condition for real communion. It has to be accepted day in and day out. Only in truth's humble patience do we mature from the inside and become free from ourselves and for God." 166

"[In the seminary we need to educate] people to the truth, to be truthful. People are often uncomfortable with the truth; it is probably the best guide to selflessness and true freedom." 165

From "Preparation for Priestly Ministry" (Würzburg Seminary, 1990) in Joseph Ratzinger, A New Song for the Lord, New York, Crossroad, 1997.