Quote of the Day

"When you are given the mitre on the day of your episcopal consecration, you are told: 'May the splendor of holiness shine forth in you.' With his teaching and in his personal witness, the apostle Paul exhorts us to grow in virtue before God and men. For the bishop, the road of perfection must take its inspiration from the characteristic traits of the Good Shepherd, that on his face and in his actions the faithful might learn the human and Christian virtues that must distinguish the bishop. Progressing along the path of holiness, may you express that indispensable authority and prudent wisdom expected of one placed at the head of God's family. This authority is ever more necessary today. Your ministry will only be pastorally fruitful if it relies upon your holiness of life: the authority of the bishop, Pastores gregis affirms, is born from witness, without which it is difficult for the faithful to find at work in the bishop the presence of Christ in his church."

-- Pope Benedict XVI
Address to the annual seminar for new bishops
22 September 2008

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