A new Bishop!

We were at the ordination of a new Bishop for our diocese last night. As SWMBO says, and I concur completely, I haven't seen so many pointy hats in one place at the same time, ever! It was quite the to-do! There were tons (or tonnes?) of priests there, too, of course. They were from all over the country, even from all over the world. I saw a priest I went to university with who is now a rector of a theological college and whose brother is a brother Franciscan. I saw many, many friends and people I haven't seen for ages. It was good.

He appears to be a very nice man. Quiet-spoken, gentle, just a nice, nice person. He has worked in the Vatican, and has specialized in Ecumenism. A good thing for our diocese, I think. Anyway, I'll have to go see him in my role as Minister for our Secular Franciscan Fraternity anyway, so seeing him at his ordination wa a good thing.

It really was good.

The ceremony and Mass was just 4 hours long. It didn't seem a minute over 3 hours and 45 minutes! While the ordination of a bishop is a big thing (he's only the 7th bishop our diocese has had) I would have done away with some of the whiz-bang stuff and tried for something simpler, something with simpler production values. Any event that has to have 3 Masters of Ceremonies to make sure that so-and-so is in the right place, and that so-and-so is doing the right thing at the right time, is a bit much. Really.

Anyway, welcome Bishop Don. I can only speak for myself, but I sure am pleased to have you as our Bishop, and I hope great things for you and many blessings on your ministry. God bless you, and give you all the gifts you need to keep our fractious family on the narrow path and walking in the same direction, toward our good and gracious God.

---