Mission
Hot Topics
Two forms of canonized holiness deepened by the Pope: martyrdom and the offering of one’s life
USA: Court awards $12 million to Catholic woman fired for not vaccinating in COVID pandemic
Landmark ruling in Australia: Catholic church not indirectly guilty in case of priest involved in abuse
3 things a Catholic looks for in a parish (and that the pastor and the community should know)
U.S. Bishops Affirm Advancement of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude Barber
Muslim Kingdom of Bahrain to sponsor digitization of Arabic documents from Vatican Library
Marian piety explained briefly, simply and beautifully by the Pope
USA: Federal Judge Strikes Down Louisiana’s Ten Commandments School Display Law
Knights of Columbus Surpass $100 Million in Support for Religious Vocations
A Colombian priest’s fight against violence: “Our neighbourhood has two or three murders every week”
Día

enero 6th, 2003

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 6, 2003 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II ordained 12 bishops on the solemnity of the Epiphany and asked them to "become light to guide the way of nations, weighed down by darkness and confusion."

The Pope bestowed on the bishops the symbols of their ministry: the ring, sign of fidelity; the miter, symbol of holiness; and the staff, symbol of the shepherd.

Four of the new bishops come from Italy. The others are from Iraq, Vietnam, South Korea, Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Benin and Spain.

Among the new bishops are close papal collaborators, such as Bishop Angelo Amato of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco, new secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; as well as Irish Bishop Brian Farrell of the Legionaries of Christ, new secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

During the homily, the Holy Father stressed two principles for their work: "Fidelity to the Catholic tradition and commitment to ecumenical dialogue."

Another group of new prelates -- Bishops Paul Tschang In-nam (Korea), Celestino Migliore (Italy), Pierre Nguyen Van Tot (Vietnam), Pedro López Quintana (Spain) -- will be papal representatives in Asian and African countries and before the United Nations.

The Pope requested that their "pastoral ministry contribute to make the light of Christ shine among peoples. While respecting their institutions and cultures, invite the nations to which you are sent to be open to the Gospel. Only Christ can guarantee a profound renewal of consciences and peoples," he said.

The rest of the new bishops will exercise their ministry in dioceses. These are Bishops Andraos Abouna, auxiliary of the Patriarchate of Babylon of the Chaldeans (Iraq); Rene Marie Ehuzu of Abimey (Benin); Jan Babjak of the Eparchy of Presov (Slovakia); Milan Sasik, apostolic administrator of the Eparchy of Mukacheve (Ukraine); Giuseppe Nazzaro, apostolic vicar of Alep of the Latins (Syria), and Calogero La Piana of Mazara del Vallo (Italy).

"Love the ecclesial communities that will receive you and that I greet with affection," the Holy Father told this last group. "May they see in you diligent and generous pastors. With the example and help of the Good Shepherd, always lead believers to the pastures of eternal life!"

The celebration was held in a festive atmosphere. Following the Mass, a cavalcade led by the three Magi and composed of a thousand participants dressed in traditional costumes, entered St. Peter's Square.