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.
