Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abu Dhabi (Fides Service) – On Friday 30 January, at the Catolic Cathedral of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), filled to capacity with filled with about 8,000 people, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, ordained Bishop Paul Hinder, of the Order of Friars Capuchins whom Pope John Paul II appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Arabia on 12 December 2003. The other two consecrating prelates were Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea, Papal Nuncio in Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen and Apostolic Delegate in the Arabian Peninsula, and Bishop Giovanni Bernardo Gremoli, for more than 28 Apostolic Vicar of Arabia. Among those present Father John Corriveau, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins and other confreres from Rome, Switzerland and Arabian Peninsula countries.
“I bring to the Bishop elect and to each and all warm greetings from the Holy Father – Cardinal Sepe said in his homily -. He holds you in his heart and reaches all with his prayers: Catholics other Christians and followers of other believers. I have come as a pilgrim to see the wonders the Lord has worked among you. I thank the Capuchin Family which since the distant year of 1889 has held juridical and pastoral responsibility of the Catholic Church in Arabia. I am also grateful to the other Religious Families, male and female, working in different ways for the good of the faithful.”
Dwelling on the significance of the episcopal ordination, Cardinal Sepe said: “we are about to enter the Mystery. The Eternal enters time to consecrate a man, albeit veiled with signs. The new Bishop will receive a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and he will become a chosen tool in God’s plan and his work of salvation. As with the Apostles, Jesus will establish profound communion with him, which will lead him to live authentic spiritual identification. Today Jesus chooses him, as centuries ago he chose the Apostles after a night of intense prayer.”
Addressing the new Bishop, Cardinal Sepe said: “new horizons appear for you, new paths open for your life. Take up the staff of the Good Shepherd and walk with farsightedness and courage ahead of your people. Now your life belongs to these people. Lead them to the source of Grace, quench their thirst with the fresh Word of salvation, nourish them with the bread of the Eucharist, keep alive in them longing for the Father who is in Heaven. May Saint Francis of Assisi, your model for the religious life, help you to carry to every person the precious gift of Peace.” (S:L.) (Fides Service 2/2/2004; lines 29; words 417)
