 |
| Monsignor, soon to be Archbishop Charles Brown |
At the Mass in St Peter's Basilica, Rome on the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict XVI will ordain Monsignor Charles Brown a Bishop for service as the new Apostolic Nuncio in Ireland along with Monsignor Marek Solczynski who will serve as Apostolic Nuncio in Georgia and Armenia. It has been Pope Benedict's practice usually to have the Cardinal Secretary of State ordain as Bishops new nuncios and others in senior positions of service in the Curia. Therefore, it can be seen as a sign of the Pope's special care for Ireland that he will personally ordain Mons. Brown a Bishop.
The ceremony can be viewed live on EWTN on television or internet (click here for the internet coverage) from 8.30am Irish time this Friday, 6th January 2012.
We pray for the renewal of the Church in Ireland, along the lines set out by Pope Benedict in his Letter to the Catholics of Ireland and Prayer for the Church in Ireland. Here is the Pope's Prayer:
Prayer for the Church in Ireland
God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal,
the charity which purifies and opens our hearts
to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment
to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness, holiness and generous service to society.
Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal
for the Church in Ireland.
May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.
To you, Triune God,
confident in the loving protection of Mary,
Queen of Ireland, our Mother,
and of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and all the saints,
do we entrust ourselves, our children,
and the needs of the Church in Ireland.
Amen.
