VATICAN - Cardinal Filoni urges the diocese of Ebebiyin: "never get tired of giving testimony of our faith"

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 filoni   local churches  

Ebebiyin (Agenzia Fides) - Today, the feast of Mary Help of Christians, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, carried out a pastoral visit to the diocese of Ebebiyin, where in the morning he presided the solemn Mass in the Cathedral for the taking of possession of the new Bishop, His Exc. Mgr. Miguel Angel Nguema, Salesian, and in the afternoon he met the clergy, and the religious men and women.
"The new Bishop Mgr. Miguel begins his ministry in the Diocese, which has existed for 35 years, said the Cardinal in his homily, but with the creation of the new diocese in Mongomo, it will have a territory and the smallest presbytery. The new Pastor will be able to be more present among you and have more time for your needs. But this also involves the need for greater collaboration on your part".
Commenting on the liturgy of the Word, which proposed one of the great Christological hymns of St. Paul, on the role of Jesus in the project of the love of the Father and on the predestination of believers, Cardinal Filoni pointed out: "From the beginning of the time God Father thought of you, to make you holy, to give you his children. Each of you is called to this path of holiness, that is, to maintain a strong and unconditional love relationship with the Lord. Each of you is called to be part of the true family of Jesus, made up of those who do the will of God the Father".
"For God, it is not important if our actions will have great results, large or small", continued the Cardinal. It is important to have courage, never get tired of witnessing our faith, and allow the Grace to act in human hearts. We are often tempted by this need to see the results of our works to the point that someone asks if it is worth doing something when we are not sure of getting a good result. Saint Paul was not discouraged, because having met Christ he had put all his trust in Him. It is true, often results are not seen immediately, therefore time has to be given for their growth. Saint Paul teaches us, however, to go forward with generosity in the work of evangelization, in proclaiming the Word of God, in helping the poor and needy, and - as Pope Francis reminds us - in the courage to go forth to the most difficult places and of marginalization.
This is my wish to Bishop Miguel and to this young Diocese of Ebebiyin".
The Prefect also stressed: "The strength of the Apostles, the strength of the Church, the strength of Catholicism in Guinea and the Diocese of Ebebiyin is the force that comes from heaven. This strength is more powerful than our possibilities. Therefore have the courage to be led by the power of the gifts of the Spirit!"
On the day when the Church celebrates the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, Mary, help of Christians, "to whom Jesus on the Cross entrusts St. John, and in him we all have been entrusted to her", he urged: "In our actions, we can always invoke her maternal help, especially in moments of discouragement and fear when we feel weaker in the face of the challenges that seem to be greater than our possibilities".
Cardinal Filoni concluded the homily with these words: "By entrusting Mary the Church in Ebebiyin and the beginning of the episcopal ministry of your Bishop, I renew my wish for all of you to be witnesses of Christ, bringing in you the power of Spirit, the boldness to act generously in the mission of good that is entrusted to you". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 24/5/2017)


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