Nuncio reads appointment of Bishop Lach to ‘dear’ U.S. church

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the apostolic letter of appointment for Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, during the enthronement ceremony. His discourse is published below.

Dear friends, I am truly pleased to be with you as His Excellency the Most Reverend Milan Lach is solemnly enthroned as the fifth bishop of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians.

The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council in their decree “Orientalium ecclesiarium” offered the following reflection on the Catholic Eastern Churches. I quote: “The Catholic Church holds in high esteem the institutions of the Eastern Churches, their liturgical rites, ecclesiastical traditions, and Christian way of life. For, distinguished as they are by their venerable antiquity, they are bright with that tradition, which was handed down from the Apostles through the Fathers; and which forms part of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of the universal church.”

Your Excellency Bishop Lach, we offer you our heartfelt congratulations, as well as the assurance of our prayers, as you undertake this important office of teaching, governing and sanctifying.

You know, this is the job of a bishop —  teaching, governing, sanctifying — so he is employed full time for that. And, the community, you have to check that: is the bishop really governing, teaching and sanctifying? Because this is for the benefit of the community, so sanctifying this community of faith in the name of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd. So now, with great joy, I will read the apostolic letter of appointment.

As you know this letter is being sent directly by the Holy Father and signed by him. It will be shown to you. ... We have prepared an English translation, so that we may understand, so please listen.

“Francis, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to our venerable brother Milan Lach, a member of the Society of Jesus..., and until now titular bishop of Ostracine, as well as apostolic administrator sede vacante of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians, appointed bishop of the same eparchy, greetings and apostolic blessings.

“Be who like Blessed Peter have undertaken the truly important care of the Lord’s entire flock, strive each day, as attentively as possible, to provide, with God’s help, for the spiritual good of the local churches.

“Since at this time provision must be made for the better pastoral governance of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians, which is currently vacant in accordance with the norms of canon 219 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, we, upon consultation with our venerable brother of the Holy Roman Church, the cardinal prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, judge that you, venerable brother, are entirely suitable for governing it, given your outstanding qualities, your pastoral experience, and your fulfillment of your office as titular bishop and apostolic administrator sede vacante of the same eparchy.

“Therefore, by virtue of our apostolic authority, we release you of the aforementioned bonds and we appoint you bishop of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians, together with all the rights and obligations which are connected to this mission, according to the norm of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.

“Moreover, we mandate that your clergy and your people be informed about this letter and we exhort them to give you a warm welcome and to remain in close communion with you.

“Finally, venerable brother, together with the protection of the Virgin Mary, the never-silent voice of the Apostles ... we beseech for you the gift of the Paraclete Spirit, so that, aided by them, you may nourish the faithful entrusted to your care, making use especially of charity, the chief virtue of shepherds, for you feed to the extent that you love.

“May the peace and light of Christ be always with you and with your ecclesial community, which we hold so dear to us in the beloved United States of America.

“Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, on the first day of the month of June, in the year of the Lord 2018, the sixth of our pontificate.”
 
Caption: Archbishop Christophe Pierre reads the letter of the pope, appointing Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, as bishop of the Eparchy of Parma. (Photo: Reen Nemeth)
 
As published in Horizons, July 8, 2017.
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