EVEN BISHOPS HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL!
ROME: 21st September -- The week past saw the
completion of a week or more of 'school' for new Bishops, including several
Salesians from the English-speaking regions of Philippines, India and Papua New
Guinea. Bishop Panfilo (Alotau, Milne Bay PNG), Bishop Pat Buzon (Negros
Occ. Philippines), Archbishop Dominic Jala (Shillong, India) and Bishop Joseph
Gomes (Krishnagar, India) were amongst the 'newbies' or realtively so, taking
part. Each newly appointed Bishop is invited at some point early in his
ministry, to come to Rome with others of the same language group, where they
meet members of the various dicasteries (Vatican departments), share with one
another and of course meet the Holy Father. The group this time also
included many diocesan Bishops, naturally, including several recent appointees
from Australian dioceses.
During his address to the group, the Holy Father
stressed the importance of a holy life of service. "Be holy! On different
occasions I have noted that holiness is the urgent pastoral need of our times.
It is an pressing requirement first of all for those whom God has called to
serve him more closely. Indeed, in order to be vigilant guardians of the Lord’s
flock, in order to protect it from all kinds of dangers, in order to feed it
with the food of the word and the Eucharist, Pastors themselves must be
nourished by intense and constant prayer and must cultivate a deep intimacy with
Christ. Only in this way will they become, for priests and for the faithful,
examples of fidelity and witnesses of an apostolic zeal enlightened by the Holy
Spirit."
The Bishops have now returned to their respective
dioceses. Each of the Salesians found opportunity to call in at the Pisana
for a short period.
