AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - The Bishop Emeritus who chose the mission: "A simple missionary, without any other titles"

Kofele (Agenzia Fides) - On the occasion of World Mission Day His Exc. Mgr. Antonio Mattiazzo, Bishop emeritus of Padua, who since last September is "a simple missionary without any other titles" as he defined himself, in the Apostolic Prefecture of Robe, Ethiopia, gave his testimony to Agenzia Fides. "During my teenage years I felt the passion for the mission, which has never stopped over the years", says Father Antonio. "When I was still in good health and no longer Bishop in Padua, I felt the inspiration to go on a mission in the Apostolic Prefecture of Robe, where there were few people to help the very poor population. As Bishop I am the successor of the Apostles, and here I compare myself and I am inspired by the ministry of the first Apostles and St. Paul. I consider it God’s grace" he continues.
"Here I am a 'simple missionary', without any other titles, at the pastoral service of the community in Kofele, led by Capuchin father Bernardo Coccia. In addition to the community in the center of Kofele, there are some other communities to follow pastorally. This is the 'plantatio ecclesiae' among a largely Muslim population and of traditional religion. I arrived here on September 10, and on 29 of the same month Father Bernardo left for Italy where he stayed for about two months. So I was alone with a Capuchin brother to manage the pastoral life, of course with the assistance of the Apostolic Prefect Father Angelo Antolini. I committed myself to learning the Oromo language, that now I can read pretty well, and when I preach and do catechesis I use English, and I am helped by a catechist who translates.
I have started a school for catechists and catechumens for three weeks. Inspired by Charles de Foucald I started with the nuns and the faithful Eucharistic adoration, with the intention to reach everyone with our prayers of adoration, the influence of the merciful love of Jesus and his salvific power", concludes Father Antonio.
The group of Bishops emeritus who, for age reasons finished their service at a local church, continue to be active in the Christian communities as pastors, assistant pastors or missionaries even in remote areas, and this seems destined to grow. (AM/AP) (Agenzia Fides 19/10/2015)

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