10th anniversary of Episcopal Ordination of Bp Paolo, 28 June 2024 - Thanksgiving message | Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia

June 29, 2024

At the end of this celebration on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of my episcopal ordination, allow me to express my gratitude. First of all, Thank the Lord because he called me to serve him and the Church in the episcopate.

Thanks to the Holy Father who appointed me auxiliary bishop of Milan ten years ago and two years ago apostolic vicar of southern Arabia.

I would like to thank the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Christophe El Kassis, who represents for us the closeness of the Holy Father to our Church.

Thanks to the Custos of the General Custody of the Capuchin Friars in the Gulf, Father Michael Fernandes, for his profound and vibrant words.

Thanks to the Vicar Delegate, Father Peter PM for always being at my side sharing my apostolic mission.

I also thank the parish priest, Father Chito, for his words and for the support I receive from him as parish priest of our cathedral dedicated to St. Joseph.

Thanks to all the brothers in the Priesthood who wanted to participate in the celebration; I express my gratitude to the consecrated sisters for their presence and above all to all of you, dear holy and faithful people of God.

Finally, I would like to remember the one who ordained me bishop with the imposition of his hands and the consecratory prayer, Cardinal Angelo Scola who welcomed me and accompanied me in my first years of episcopal ministry as his auxiliary bishop; a word of gratitude also to the present Archbishop of Milan, Mario Delpini.

In the homily delivered on my episcopal ordination, commenting on the Gospel passage in which Jesus asks Peter three times for his love, Cardinal Scola recalled that we can only be an authority if first and foremost we are obedient. Only ‘cum Petro and sub Petro’, with Peter and under Peter can the episcopal ministry be exercised.

Furthermore, the then Archbishop of Milan recalled that we are called as forgiven and redeemed. Without the mercy of God, God's call would not be possible. Having mercy on us, he called us, as recalled by the episcopal movement of Pope Francis.

I especially invite young people not to be afraid to welcome the call of the Lord, to leave everything for the kingdom of God. Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue our journey asking God for the gift of peace and unity to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel in this land, in this multicultural and multi-religious society.

Thank you for your prayers, continue to pray for your bishop. We all entrust ourselves to our Lady of Arabia and to the holy Martyrs, Arethas and companions.

See the Photo Album of the celebration

Watch the video recalling Bp Paolo's life