During the ordination of a new auxiliary bishop for Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio recalled that the “episcopate means service and duty, not honor. And more than just presiding, a bishop needs to serve others.” The cardinal pointed out that “a bishop has no right to lose his patience,” and he implored the new auxiliary bishop, Most Rev. Vicente Bokalic, CM, to keep his heart free of “pride, arrogance and vanity.” He urged the new prelate not to view the episcopate as a means of advancing his career.
Love everyone entrusted to you by God “with the love of a father and a brother,” the cardinal told him, especially “the poor and the weak, homeless and those with nothing.”
Departing from his prepared remarks, he added, “Do not forget them, and do not be scandalized when you find them sleeping in front of the doors of churches.”
The new 57-year-old bishop said, “I feel humbled by such a grace,” and then quoted the words of St. Augustine, “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop.”
Before his ordination, Bishop Bokalic was provincial superior of the Vincentian Fathers and was pastor of the Parish of the Miraculous Medal.
SIC: CNA