VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe ordains new Bishop of Tarahumara in Mexico: “A Church called to offer from the riches of its faith and testimony of communion among its different peoples an important contribution to the universal Church”

Guachochi (Fides Service) - “The Church entrusts you with the responsibility and care of a part of the People of God: the Particular Church of Tarahumara in western Sierra Madre resplendent in the beauty of creation. A Church called to offer from the riches of its faith and testimony of communion among its different peoples an important contribution to the rest of the Church in America and therefore to the universal Church. Love your bride! Serve her “willingly, as God wills”. Remember that your authority over her is a service and your service is one of love. Proclaim the Gospel! Search for the lost sheep! Be for you people a father and a teacher of the faith, an example for the flock.” These were the tasks which Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, entrusted to the new Bishop Tarahumara in Mexico Bishop Rafael Sandoval Sandoval, a member of the Missionaries of the Nativity of Mary. Cardinal Sepe presided the ordination Mass Santa on Wednesday 9 March at Tarahumara Cathedral. Tarahumada is in Guachochi, Chihuahua State.
Cardinal Sepe greeted Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City, the Papal Nuncio in Mexico Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, other Bishops present, civil, political and military authorities and the many priests, men and women religious and lay Catholics who had come from all over Mexico. Addressing representatives of different ethnic groups present in the Cathedral the Cardinal said: “I wish above all to pass on the love and blessing of the Pope, to our brothers and sisters Rarámuris who are light footed and know how to weave life in harmony with nature; to the Mestizos a people of hope who build families which long for peace; the Tepehuanes (or Ódame) solid like rocks and mountains and anxiously awaiting evangelisation; the Guarojíos, who live in freedom among the canyons and mountains of the River Mayo and call themselves Makuraúe (those who cling to the soil); to the Pimas, who love peace and in their poverty enrich Tarahumara.”
The Prefect of the Mission Department asked the priests, catechists, religious, seminarians and lay people to take care of their new Bishop: “He will need your prayers and your filial closeness. Accompany him in his ministry. Strengthened by the gifts of grace you have received, help him to be a faithful and truthful witness to the Love of God”. Cardinal Sepe continued: “. Truly, Holy Mary loves to accompany and visit her indigenous sons and daughters, and this is why she chose Juan Diego and established with him a dialogue of predilection. Saint Juan Diego the Indian recognised the Blessed Virgin Mary, entrusted himself to her in a filial relationship and became her messenger. This was to fulfil the words of Jesus who said that the Gospel is accepted by the simple and humble of heart, but remains hidden to the wise and the intelligent.”
In his homily Cardinal Sepe said “through the centuries the Church continues the mission of her Lord, announcing his death and proclaiming his resurrection. Also today, despite the spread of new and often questionable theological concepts, this proclamation remains the permanent priority of missionary activity because the Church cannot deprive people of the «good news» that they are loved and saved by God. The Church, founded by Christ, is missionary by nature and it is to accomplish this mission that the divine Master sent his Apostles to the whole world.”
At the end of his homily, before entrusting the new Bishop’s person, intentions and ministry to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cardinal Sepe said: “Please God may this ordination, also a sign of the Holy Father’s love for this beloved region of Mexico, be an event of abundant grace and a motive of encouragement for this diocese and the Church all over Mexico, in particular for the poorest people and those who suffer in body and spirit.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/3/2005; righe 45, parole 662)