One of the benefits of modern technology is that when you are out for lunch with a fellow priest, it is possible to have a quick look at the days "Bolletino" from the Vatican. Very often there is not much to write home about but on Saturday, I was surprised to see the announcement that Bishop Josef Wróbel of Helsinki was appointed as one of the assistant Bishops of the Diocese of Lublin.
The Finnish news service YLE news describes it as an "abrupt departure" and a "surprise move". This could just be journalese - most episcopal appointments are a bit of a surprise and happen abruptly. Nevertheless, I did find it intriguing that an Ordinary should be taking up post as an auxiliary Bishop - perhaps there is some special need in Lublin or perhaps Bishop Wrobel wishes to return to his alma mater.
My friends in Helsinki will no doubt be wondering who their new Bishop is going to be.
10 comments:
Do you know much about Wróbel, Father?
Father, your friends here in Finland are really disappointed because of this news.
On the other hand, I am sure that Bishop Józef will be happy in Lublin and at his University.
Now that we are searching a new Bishop, why don't you apply for the job! (Of course only if you won't get elected to Westminster...)
Greetings + Prayers!
Marko, Pilvi and the Monsters
I've been reading the "Bolletino" every day as we await news of our new Archbishop here in Detroit. It's interesting how you can get the gist of what those announcements are saying even if you don't know Italian!
Also, I know you are a pro-life champion and thought you would be interested in the photostory of the Mass & burial we had for aborted babies at Assumptio Grotto. About 600 were in attendance and the babies were given a dignified burial in our cemetery. I am hoping many Catholic bloggers, especially power bloggers will give it the publicity it deserves. Everyone who sees the pictures is a witness for these babies.
Is there reason to believe that Bishop Wrobel didn't get along with his diocesan flock (e.g, in terms of language, mentality ...)?
Georg
I didn't know our bishop very well, I've only met him a couple of times and I was confirmed by him. Of course, those of use who belong to the Saint Gregory Society are grateful for the opportunity of attending the TLM after Summorum Pontificum.
I guess all we can do is wait, and pray that we get a bishop who understands the Holy Father's reforms. It would be good to see them introduced into the ordinary form with good catechesis to accompany it, and of course we hope that our new bishop will be even more generous when it comes to the extraordinary form.
Here's his farewell homily:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Yesterday the Holy See announced officially that my service in Finland has come to an end. The Holy Father has invited me to undertake a new task in my native land, as the auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lublin. As a consequence, in a few days’ time, I will move to Poland. Today I thus wish to bid you all farewell.
I have now served the Diocese of Helsinki exactly seven and half years. Although it has been a relatively long time, it seems to have passed quickly. During this I have experienced many things – not only in Finland, but also as a member of the Nordic Bishops Conference. The task has given me the opportunity to get to know about the reality of the Church is Northern Europe. During this time I have also come to know about the spiritual life of our faithful, as I have regularly visited the parishes and different areas of our diocese.
And how have these experiences been? Mainly positive. I have often been able to notice the faithfulness to the Church of so many parishioners. Many of the faithful defend and support the church of their own accord and out of their love for God. Without a doubt, a rather strong faith is needed even just to go to Mass every Sunday, particularly when one has to travel a great distance. I have always found joy in being able to see our churches quite full even though, at times when thinking about the future, I have been saddened by the thought that in a couple of years there will not be enough room for all those attending Mass. It has also made me happy to see the growth of a variety of different forms of Catholic spirituality; likewise, to witness the yearning of the faithful to deepen their spiritual lives.
In the Diocese of Helsinki I have also been able to experience the universality of the Church. The faithful of our Diocese represent over eighty nationalities, and already over half of the church members here have their roots in countries other than Finland. Thus the local church is not any sort of a national church. Despite this we form a visible unity, which is free of national tensions and competition. This unity we have been able to experience in faith and liturgy as well as in the Church community. The variety of nationalities has dually enabled us to enrich our own traditions and spiritualities.
Unfortunately, there are also many signs of secularization that can be seen in our diocese. I hope, however, that these currents do not become stronger. In the long run a human cannot live without God. Sooner or later he must come to the conclusion together as did St. Augustine, that “man’s heart is restless until it finds rest in God.” Without God a human experiences interior emptiness and his life lacks a purpose. Without the Ten Commandments, without commitment to lasting marriage and a genuine family, no nation will have a future worthy of a human being.
A notable part of the experience that I have received has to do with ecumenism. As a matter of fact, it was simply a continuation of the contacts with the Orthodox and Lutheran brothers and sisters which I earlier had in Poland. Here in Finland I was allowed to experience this ecumenical spirit with bishops, priests, deacons and the laity. There was a reciprocal respect and esteem between us, because we knew that each of us—in his own field—carries the responsibility for the salvation of souls as well as the good of the Finnish nation.
Ecumenism has meant to me also a longing for full unity. As the visible union of the church cannot be reached by relativizing the basic truths, nor with irenism, I have concerned myself with the clear and strong identity of our churches. True ecumenism is possible only when we know precisely what can be discussed and with whom. True ecumenism is possible only when we know that the person with whom we discuss represents his church, instead of speaking from his private opinions, which are his alone. Ecumenism is possible only when we know what the other church truly believes and that this belief includes a spiritual and intellectual relationship with God, instead of being only a vague religious-cultural world view. Therefore I am very grateful to those bishops, priests and laity in other Christian churches, who strive towards full unity. I am also very thankful to the representatives of other religions, who have committed to the dialogue and have let me experience brotherhood as the children of the one God, our Father.
On the other hand, these seven and a half years during which I have worked in Finland have been to me a rather short period of time. Again, the time here passed extremely rapidly. The many tasks entrusted to me ensured that there was no excess time. The time was indeed too short to master the language. Furthermore, the time was too short to acquaint myself more with this country. It was also too short for the fulfilment of many plans. Despite this, I can look into the future with trust, as the life of the Church does not end at my departure. My successor shall continue the work of shepherding the Catholics in Finland; I think that this is good. A new bishop will surely bring along new ideas, new projects, new plans to implement, all of which can benefit the Church.
During these seven years Finland has been to me another homeland. On this occasion I wish to cordially thank the State of Finland and the local officials in the locations of our Church. The co-operation has been good and we have always been received kindly. The Bishop is the shepherd of the diocese, yet he does not do everything alone. Everything that is achieved in a diocese is the fruit of the co-operation and prayer of its many active members. Therefore, I wish to cordially thank all the brothers and sisters, and especially you, who have helped me to fulfill my task. I especially thank the priests, who have faithfully served this local Church. I also wish to cordially thank the religious, who in following their particular charism enrich the Church, not only through their active apostolate, but also through their humble prayer. With equal gratitude I wish to thank all my fellow workers in the curia, in the Catechetical Centre and the Information Centre for their sacrificial work.
I have likely not done my work of service perfectly. Therefore, I would first like to ask God pardon for my weaknesses and negligence. In a similar manner, I wish to apologize to all those, whose just expectations I have not fulfilled.
Lastly, I wish to ask you all to welcome my successor, with open hearts and to keep him in your prayers.
+ Józef Wróbel S.C.I.
In Helsinki, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, 2008
Happy Birthday, Fr Tim.
..oops, and I meant to say, how about a post on Oliver Plunkett. Wasn`t he one of the most recently canonized martyrs ?
I don't know much about Bishop Wróbel and I'm grateful for the comments from my friends in Helsinki, and for the text of his sermon. There need not necessarily be anything else "behind" this story.
(Karen - I did delete your comment of course. No, nothing like that, I'm sure.)
Sadly, Bishop Wrobel was just not up to the job. His skills apparently lie elsewhere, probably as an academic. Ceertainly, becoming the fourth Auxiliary in Lublin is nothing other than dowmwardly mobile.
He never settled in Finland, never made enough effort to learn the language and never got to understand the Diocese.
He was a square peg in a round hole. It was an unfortunate appointment.
Rome is obviously aware of the situation and hopefully will make a more suitable appointment next time.
Finally, forgive me for commenting on the question from 'berenike' Sadly some Catholics, especially those who consider themselves to be orthodox or traditional, are in the habit of referring to priests, bishops and cardinals by their surname. Bishop Wrobel may not have been a success as a diocesan bishop, but he is a bishop and is entitled to the respect of his status, and not to be referred to simply by his surname.
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