Pope Francis Embraces The Anti-Charisma Of Marcial Maciel And Ordains Legionaries of Christ Father Fernando Vérgez Alzaga A Bishop (15 November 2013)

Pope Francis Embraces The Anti-Charisma Of Marcial Maciel 

I saw a star fall from heaven upon the earth, and there was given to him the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit: and the smoke of the pit arose, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke of the pit. And from the smoke of the pit there came out locusts upon the earth. And power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power: And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree: but only the men who have not the sign of God on their foreheads. And it was given unto them that they should not kill them; but that they should torment them five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh a man. Apoc.ix.

EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF FR. FERNANDO VÉRGEZ ALZAGA, L.C., TITULAR BISHOP OF VILLAMAGNA DI PROCONSOLARE, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE GOVERNORATE OF VATICAN CITY STATE

HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS

Vatican Basilica Friday,

15 November 2013

By L'Osservatore Romano , Weekly ed. in English, n. 47

Pope Francis entrusted a special task to the newly ordained Bishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga LC, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, charging him with "the pastoral care of Vatican employees". The Pope called the Spanish prelate to be for them both "a father and a brother... with true love and tenderness".

At the ceremony — which was held on Friday afternoon, 15 November, in St Peter's Basilica — the Pope gave the customary homily provided in the Italian edition of the Roman Pontifical for the ordination of bishops to which he added a few personal remarks. Present at the ordination were many employees of the Governorate and of the Holy See, in addition to about 600 Legionaries of Christ, who are confreres of the new Bishop.

The Bishop of Rome invited the bishop of Spain — who began serving as Secretary General on 30 October — to follow the example of the Good Shepherd "who knows his sheep, is known by them and for whom he did not hesitate to give his life". It is the love "of a father and brother" for "all those who God entrusts to you", Pope Francis added, "most of all for priests, deacons and your collaborators in the ministry" but also for "the poor, the defenseless, and those who are in need of acceptance and help". This must be carried out without forgetting "to exhort the faithful to cooperate in the apostolic duty, listening to them willingly".

The Holy Father then underlined how an episcopate is "a service, not an honour", since the bishop's "duty is one of service more than dominion", according to the commandment of the Teacher: 'let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves'". Pope Francis invited Bishop Vérgez Alzaga to reflect on the fact that he has been chosen "among men and for men" and "charged with the things that regard God".

In the presence of 18 cardinals, including the Dean of the College of Cardinals Angelo Sodano and 33 bishops, who concelebrated, Pope Francis invited the newly ordained Bishop to remember that "in the Catholic Church, gathered in the bond of charity, you are united to the College of Bishops and you must bear the concern for all the Churches, generously aiding those most in need". He then asked him especially to keep watch "with great love and great mercy over the whole flock, in which the Holy Spirit calls you to support the Church of God".

Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Substitute of the Secretariat of State, presented the candidate to the Holy Father on behalf of the Church, requesting him for the episcopal ordination. Also presiding at the ordination were Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Governorate, and Bishop Brian Farrell, Legionary of Christ and Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The liturgical service was carried out by a dozen Legionaries of Christ and various family members of Bishop Vérgez Alzaga who presented the gifts at the offertory. Also concelebrating at the Rite were Cardinals De Paolis, Lajolo, Coppa, Herranz and Montezemolo. Among the concelebrants were many bishops and prelates of the Roman Curia, including Msgr Peter Bryan Wells, Assessor of the Secretariat of State. The Sistine Chapel Choir conducted by Msgr Massimo Palombella and accompanied by the choir Mater Ecclesiae sang the hymns. The Pope entered the Vatican Basilica accompanied by Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Prefect of the Papal Household.