HOMILY for the EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF MOST REVEREND ...

HOMILY for the EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OFMOST REVEREND PAUL BERNARD BIRD, CSsR,AS EIGHTH BISHOP OF BALLARAT,SAINT PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, BALLARAT,TUESDAY, 16TH OCTOBER 2012Dear Brothers and Sisters,Today we welcome Bishop Paul Bird, accompanied by members of his family, asBishop of Ballarat. This year is the 250th anniversary of the consecration of theRedemptorist Founder, Saint Alphonsus Ligouri as Bishop of Saint Agata de Goti.In his message to the Redemptorists of the world Father Michael Brehl taught thatto serve as a Redemptorist bishop in the spirit of Saint Alphonsus is a missionary vocation.For the sake of the Church, both local and universal, the Redemptorist missionary called tothis ministry continues to bring redemption by “responding to the pressing pastoral needsof the most abandoned, particularly of the poor”. (10 June 2012)I know that the people of Ballarat Diocese welcome Bishop Paul with love andaffection. This has been shown by so many messages since his appointment. SaintGerard Majella whose feast we celebrate today said: “Who except God can give youpeace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?” Bishop Paul brings theplentiful redemption of Jesus Christ, as we seek to deepen our awareness of God’snearness and saving activity in the Year of Faith which we have just begun.The will of Jesus our Saviour is that all be saved and come to the knowledge of thetruth. The work entrusted to the apostles by the laying on of hands is handed on in anunbroken line to the bishops of today, so that they in turn receive the Holy Spirit which theapostles had received from Christ. Through the ministry of the bishop Christ continues hiswork to proclaim the Gospel, to sanctify and confer the mysteries of faith on those whobelieve, and with compassion and humility to comfort, console and guide the members ofthe Church.Bishop Paul will be anointed specifically to bring good news to the poor, to bind uphearts that are broken, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. Every bishop is a signof the unity of the Spirit in his Diocese, calling the people into one and the same hope inone Lord, one faith and one baptism. From the Eucharist he will derive his conformity withChrist as priest and victim, his constant call to the people to knowledge and holiness inChrist Jesus, and in unassuming, generous and humble service.In servant leadership the bishop proclaims the message of Christ, welcome orunwelcome, corrects error with unfailing patience and teaching and offers sacrifice for thepeople so that all will receive grace from the overflowing holiness of Christ. Your bishop isa good shepherd, faithful overseer and guardian, chosen by the Father as one who knowshis sheep and is known by them as one who lays down his life for them.Bishop Paul has lived in Newcastle, Galong, Ballarat, Melbourne, Perth andSydney. He was Editor of Majellan Publications for twenty years to 2008 when he wasmade Provincial. He is known as a missioner, teacher, liturgist and musician. Hecomposed the Mass setting we are using today – a gift he has in common with hisFounder, Saint Alphonsus, who composed the famous Italian Christmas hymn “Tu scendidalle stelle”.

As bishop he is a member of the Apostolic College, serving the Universal Church inunion with the See of Peter, which is his foundation for teaching, sanctifying and servantleadership. This Ordination marks his union with the people of his Diocese, to whom he iswedded as the Church is wedded to Christ. He will undertake other ministries to serve thebishops and people of Victoria, the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and theUniversal Church.I have known him for many years. I know that here in Ballarat you have a worthyleader who will humbly, articulately and generously offer you all the plentiful redemptionwhich comes from Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Saviour.Bishop Paul, may the love of Jesus Christ, the welcome of your people, and thestrength of the Gospel sustain you for many years.+ Denis J. Hart,ARCHBISHOP OF MELBOURNE.