WASHINGTON (OSV Information) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Windfall, Rhode Island, and Coadjutor Bishop Richard G. Henning of Windfall instantly succeeds him.
Bishop Tobin turned 75 April 1, the age when canon legislation requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope. He had headed the statewide diocese since 2005. Pope Francis named Bishop Henning, 58, as Windfall’s coadjutor Nov. 23. Earlier than that he was auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.
The adjustments had been publicized in Washington Might 1 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to america.
A Mass of Reception to welcome Bishop Henning to the diocese as coadjutor was celebrated Jan. 26 on the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Windfall. He started his homily by marveling on the magnificence of the cathedral, saying, “It is much more stunning to see it crammed with the individuals of God, providing reward and worship to our Creator and Savior.”
In a Might 1 assertion, Bishop Tobin expressed “profound gratitude and private peace” for Pope Francis’ acceptance of his resignation and supplied a number of phrases to “our diocesan household,” recalling “how we started our journey collectively” with some quotes from the homily he delivered at his set up Mass 18 years in the past:
“On events like this we generally say {that a} bishop takes possession of a diocese. In reality, I feel it is actually the opposite method round — a diocese takes possession of a bishop. In that spirit, at the moment I joyfully and willingly give up myself to you. I provide you with my coronary heart and soul. I promise to work laborious for you and to do the easiest I can. However keenly conscious of my very own weak point, limitations and desires, I will even rely in your cooperation, assist and prayers.”
In his assertion, Bishop Tobin thanked “all of the members of our diocesan church who’ve certainly assisted me, and supported me in so some ways throughout my time as your bishop. You have got been so good to me!
“Thanks to the clergymen, deacons, consecrated men and women, our diocesan workers, and all of the trustworthy lay members of our church! Thanks to your persistence and your prayers. Any good that we’ve been in a position to accomplish through the previous eighteen years is a end result, initially, of your religion, your generosity, and your laborious work.”
“For the errors I’ve made, for my faults and failures, I’m deeply sorry,” he continued. “And for these instances when some people had been offended by my phrases and deeds, I’m really sorry for that too. It may be very troublesome to evangelise the Gospel of Christ, and to hold on the mission of the church on the earth at the moment, however that is what we’re known as to do.
“There are numerous pitfalls, and it’s a every day problem to strike an ideal steadiness of braveness and prudence; to be concurrently “sturdy, loving and sensible” (2 Tim 1:7) within the service of the Lord.”
Bishop Tobin urged diocesan Catholics “to stay steadfast in your religion, to be pleased with the nice work you’re doing, and to be decided to hold on the work that Jesus has entrusted to you.”
“I’ll proceed to hope fervently for you, particularly for our fantastic new shepherd, my brother, Bishop Richard Henning, as he assumes the heavy burden of episcopal management,” he mentioned and requested prayers for himself “as I start a brand new chapter in my life as a disciple and priest of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Henning opened his assertion with: “Praised be the identify of Jesus Christ … now and eternally.”
“For the final a number of months, I’ve been visiting communities throughout this ‘State of Hope.’ My gratitude to God for this new ministry within the Diocese of Windfall has solely deepened as I’ve come to know its clergy, spiritual, and folks,” he mentioned.
He mentioned he’s “notably grateful for the time with Bishop Tobin, whose personal ministry as Diocesan Bishop for 18 years presents me a robust witness of religion and a mannequin of selfless service to the Individuals of God.”
He thanked the pope and Bishop Tobin “for the present they’ve given to me” and expressed gratitude for the clergymen of the diocese as his “brothers and associates within the winery.”
“Deeply conscious of my want for mercy, I entrust myself and my ministry to the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” Bishop Henning mentioned. “Might God bless the Diocese of Windfall and will all of us dwell within the “State of Hope!”
Throughout the welcome Mass in January, Bishop Henning talked about Rhode Island’s motto – Hope. he advised the congregation that after he had discovered from Archbishop Pierre that Pope Francis deliberate to call him Windfall’s coadjutor, he started Googling Rhode Island on-line to study as a lot as he may in regards to the state and its individuals.
He got here throughout the state flag, with a big anchor owing to its nickname, The Ocean State, and its motto “Hope,” which strengthened for him that Rhode Island was certainly the place God needed him to be.
To emphasise his level for the various company attending the Mass from out of state, particularly a cadre of his fellow Lengthy Islanders who traveled 200 miles from the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Bishop Henning walked over to the lectern, the place a folded state flag on a shelf beneath was quickly unfurled and displayed for all to absorb.
“To see on a state flag that historic Christian image, the anchor, the image of hope, and never simply the image, the phrase is written proper there on that flag,” he mentioned. “In my prayer I assumed, ‘I’ll dwell within the state of hope.’ It will likely be OK. It was an important consolation to me at a time with lots of feelings.
“Hope, St. Paul teaches us, is central to the religion. Christ Jesus our hope. And I hope I’m a person of hope. I hope all of us are Christians who dwell hope,” Bishop Henning mentioned.
– – –
BRIEF: WASHINGTON (OSV Information) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Windfall, Rhode Island, and Coadjutor Bishop Richard G. Henning of Windfall instantly succeeds him. Bishop Tobin turned 75 April 1, the age when canon legislation requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope. He had headed the statewide diocese since 2005. Pope Francis named Bishop Henning, 58, as Windfall’s coadjutor Nov. 23. Earlier than that he was auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York. The adjustments had been publicized in Washington Might 1 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to america. In a Might 1 assertion, Bishop Tobin expressed “profound gratitude and private peace” for Pope Francis’ acceptance of his resignation. He urged diocesan Catholics “to stay steadfast in your religion, to be pleased with the nice work you’re doing,” and requested for prayers for his successor and for himself as he begins “a brand new chapter in my life as a disciple and priest of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.” Bishop Henning opened his assertion with: “Praised be the identify of Jesus Christ … now and eternally.” “Deeply conscious of my want for mercy, I entrust myself and my ministry to the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” he mentioned. “Might God bless the Diocese of Windfall and will all of us dwell within the “State of Hope,” a reference to Rhode Island’s state motto.
Adblock check (Why?)