29 November 2013
To:
The priests, religious and all God's
people
in the Diocese of Manzini
in the Diocese of Manzini
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“The Word became flesh” (Jo 1:14)
You've heard me greeting you with these
words in the past. These are the words I chose to lead me when I was appointed
bishop.
The Lord calls and, each time He calls,
one is somehow caught by surprise and overwhelmed by the mission
entrusted by Him. I still remember how I felt when I was appointed
bishop and Vicar Apostolic of Ingwavuma in November 2008.
Five years' later the Lord calls once
again. This time He calls me to be the shepherd of the Diocese of
Manzini in the Kingdom of Swaziland following in the footsteps of
Bishops Barneschi OSM, Casalini OSM, Zwane and Ndlovu OSM.
With Mary I say once more “be
it done to me according to your word”
(Lk 1:38) trusting in God's grace as
‘My grace is enough for you:
for power is at full stretch in weakness’
(2 Co 12:9).
I believe you all understand it is not
easy for me to leave the Vicariate of Ingwavuma after just a few
years. At the same time I am encouraged by the warm welcomed you have
given me in every community in the last 16 months of my service among
you and the messages you wrote since you got the news.
I entrust myself to your prayers as
“little can the shepherd do
without the prayer of his people” (Pope
Francis). Pray the Lord
who calls me to your service that I may be a Good Shepherd like my
predecessors.
Pray with our brothers and sisters in
the Vicariate of Ingwavuma as they wait for the appointment of a new
shepherd. In the meantime Pope Francis has appointed me their
Apostolic Administrator.
Fraternally yours in Christ and Mary "Consolata",
+ José
Luis
+ José Luis Ponce de León IMC
"Consolata Missionaries" (IMC) is the name of the community I belong to.
Mary's title as Our Lady Consolata reflects the attitude of early Christians who saw her as a loving mother to whom they would turn to in times of difficulties, tribulations and persecutions.
The early Christians had many problems and in Mary they had a consoling mother a source of love, encouragement and hope.
"Consolata Missionaries" (IMC) is the name of the community I belong to.
Mary's title as Our Lady Consolata reflects the attitude of early Christians who saw her as a loving mother to whom they would turn to in times of difficulties, tribulations and persecutions.
The early Christians had many problems and in Mary they had a consoling mother a source of love, encouragement and hope.
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