Speech of Nuncio – Episcopal Ordination of Ewaldus Martinus Sedu

Your Excellency and dear Mgr. Gerulfus,

Dear Archbishops and Bishops present today,

Distinguished Authorities,

Dear Priest and Consecrated persons,

Dear Mgr. Ewaldus Martinus, new Bishop of Maumere,

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord!

We are still sorrowful for the death of Bishop of Sibolga, Mons. Ludovikus Simanullang, a few days ago. May he rest in peace. But God is consoling his Church by giving us a new shepherd.

Allow me to join my voice to the voice of the Local Church of Maumere, thanking God for the precious gift of a new Shepherd for all this beloved and very large Diocesan family. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, is also spiritually present among us and rejoices wholeheartedly while seeing how many sons and daughters of Maumere diocese and Sikka district are gathered here for this very important and historical moment.

Dear beloved faithful, your presence, your prayers, your songs and your deep spirit of communion will be a strong encouragement for Bishop Ewaldus Martinus! He knows all of you and you know well him, but from this very moment, his kind, intelligent and friendly person is somewhat transformed, having received the abundant gift of the Holy Spirit. So, the Good Shepherd, Our Lord Jesus Christ will give him again, enriched him with many graces and spiritual blessings, as your steward, your custodian and your guide.

In this moment, also, we have also to thank God for the manifold gifts He bestows upon us through the fatherly person of Our beloved Bishop Gerulfus Kherubim Pareira. His fruitful ministry has blessed our Diocese from almost the beginning of its existence and will continue through encouraging, counselling and serving the new Bishop and all of you as a spiritual and beloved Father.

In this joyful occasion, it seems to hear again the fatherly words of St. John Paul II addressed to us, who on Wednesday, 13 October 1989, and it was Wednesday, just like today! In Ledalero he said: “As bishops and priests you will minister to many needy people… you are called to act as a bridge along their path to God, being the living image of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

To you, dear Bishop Ewaldus Martinus, and to your sheep, I would finally like to leave my best wishes to begin and to continue to walk together in the Love of God, in the Charity of Christ and in the Communion of the Holy Spirit, so that you may have life and superabundant life in this earthly world and in the world to come.

Amen!