Scottish Catholic Observer

By Anne Timmons

A bishop is ‘like the head of the family,’ Pope Francis said yesterday when he presided over his first Episcopal ordinations since becoming Pontiff.

After ordaining two new archbishops, the Holy Father used his homily to remind all bishops present, of which there were many, that they should always use the Good Shepherd as an example.

“Keep in mind that you were selected to serve, not to dominate,” he said before adding that a bishop’s role is ‘always in service.’

The Pope added that bishops should pray for non-Catholics as well as Catholics in the areas under their care, since they ‘are responsible for the spiritual welfare of everyone in their dioceses.’ He said bishops should always be concerned for the needs of the poor and also be especially attentive to the needs of their priests.

“Whenever a priest calls his bishop, the bishop should answer that same day,” he said.

The Holy Father added that ‘a bishop should be a man of prayer, because otherwise he will fall into worldliness.’

“Love all those entrusted to you like a father,” he said.

The new archbishops, both now Papal nuncios, are French Jean-Marie Speich (below)-who will work in Ghana-and Italian Giampiero Gloder (above)-who will serve in the Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See. Archbishop Gloder was last month named as the president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, which is dedicated to training the priests.

The Vatican ceremony took place in St Peter’s Basilica yesterday afternoon.