Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - In keeping with tradition on the solemn feast of Saint Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome, Pope John Paul II will impose the Pallium, symbol of Church unity on 44 new Archbishops of the Church around the world: 22 in America, 12 in Europe, 5 in Africa, 5 in Asia. Eight more 8 Archbishops, 5 in Asia, 1 in Africa, 1 in America, 1 in Europe will receive the Pallium in their local Cathedral from the respective Papal Nuncio.
The Pallium is a church symbol which dates to the 4th century. It is a band of white wool embroidered with six black crosses, which hangs around the neck and falls on the shoulders. Archbishops all over the world wear the Pallium over their liturgical vestments on special occasions as a sign of communion among themselves and with the Bishop of Rome. The Palliums are kept in a casket placed on the tomb of St Peter. Every year on the feast of St Agnes, 21 January, two lambs are given to the Pope to produce the wool for the Palliums which will serve for the year.
On the eve of this important celebration Fides spoke to four of the 44 new Archbishops in Rome to receive their Pallium from the hands of the Pope.
TAIWAN: Archbishop Joseph Cheng, Archbishop of Taipei
“The fact that we are 52 archbishops from all over the world increases my awareness of the universality of the Church, that we are all members of the one community of Catholics around the world under the guidance by our Holy Father” Archbishop Joseph Cheng of Taipei told Fides. “For me, the Pallium reminds me of our duty to obey the Pope, to be faithful to God and to the Church. The Pallium is also a sign of the Pope’s esteem and love for the Church in Taiwan: the Holy Father has always said that he prays very often for the Church in China. Today the Church in China is in a difficult situation and it needs the prayers of the whole Church.
In these first three months of pastoral government I have learned about the different situations in the archdiocese of Taipei. I was pleased to see that our priests carry out their ministry with joy and dedication. Our laity are also fervent in prayer and church activity. This is very promising for evangelisation in Taiwan. This year our pastoral programme focuses on building parishes which are missionary in their pastoral activity and open to help others and to evangelise”. (P.A.)
PHILIPPINES: Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila
“I am deeply moved that the Holy Father has called me to this task and I am grateful that I am able to come to Rome for this solemn celebration with many other brother archbishops. It is an important day for all of us. This symbolic gesture reminds me of my responsibility as a shepherd, who has a flock to feed and to guide. It is a gift but also a great responsibility to be made a Bishop and this celebration with the Pope will give me strength and confirm my faith”.
“In seven months of pastoral work as Archbishop of Manila - the Archbishop told Fides - I have been saddened to see the extreme poverty and struggle for daily survival of many of my people. In fact the poor are more than half the total population according to statistics. I realise that the Church must help them improve their living condition and I am encouraged to see that even small projects and minor gestures are warmly welcomed and appreciated. In this way we want to help these people realise that they are dearly loved by God. The poor are always very grateful. The fact that I have seen with my own eyes the dire poverty of so many Catholics in Manila is both a challenge and a consolation. I will hold them all in my heart as I take part in the Mass for the imposition of the Pallium. Shouldering my responsibilities as Archbishop, my aim is to be a Good Shepherd for all of them”. (P.A.)
NIGERIA: Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo, Archbishop Calabar
“The Pallium is a sign of the authority of Christ, a spiritual and material bond linking the Church in Calabar with the universal Church through Rome and the Pope” Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo told Fides with regard to tomorrow’s special liturgy for the imposition of the Pallium. With regard to prospects for evangelisation in the Archdiocese of Calabar, he said: “I see a rosy future with regard to evangelisation in Calabar archdiocese, in fact vocations are flourishing and our local Catholic community is vivacious and active”.
“Interreligious relations are not a problem”- the Archbishop told Fides -“There is a small community of Muslims in Calabar with whom we have a good understanding. At the level of ecumenism, we have a large Pentecostal community with which we have dialogue, it is not always easy but we persevere”. Calabar archdiocese is in southern Nigeria; it has a population of 2 million including 191,000 Catholics. (L.M.)
MEXICO: Archbishop José Luis Chávez Botello, Archbishop of Antequera, Oaxaca
"Receiving the Pallium from the hands of the Pope is a very simple ceremony but full of significance. It challenges me to repeat my ‘yes’ to God and demands an ever greater effort on my part " Archbishop José Luis Chávez Botello, Archbishop of Antequera, Oaxaca told Fides. "The wool reminds us of the sheep but also of the Shepherd and his mission to feed, guide and protect the flock, following the example of Christ the Good Shepherd. The shape of the Pallium is also significant. As it circles the neck and falls on the shoulders it reminds me of the shepherd who carries the wounded or weaker sheep. I feel this is a call to give special attention to the most needy, the poor and all who suffer near and far. Every time I put on my Pallium I will renew my commitment to serve as a bishop in unity with my brother bishops and united with Peter”.
The Archbishop recalls that his archdiocese “covers the two poorest states in Mexico. It has the highest number of indigenous peoples and ethnic groups and there is much emigration. This make unity difficult and as a Bishop I must be close to all my people picking up the poorest ones and carrying them on my shoulder. There has been a delay in the development of health care and education, generally at a very low level, however progress is being made. The most necessary commitment is widespread work for re-evangelisation. The people have a deep spiritual thirst and there is a scarcity of priests and other human resources. We must help the people grow in the faith, with intense evangelisation and they need a more intense sacramental life. With evangelisation we bring them light and courage and this is the best contribution we can offer society”. (R.G.) (Agenzia Fides 28/6/2004; Righe 80; Parole 1.099)
