New Bishop Ante Jozić thanks the Church in China, Hong Kong and Macau
The episcopal ordination took place yesterday in Solin (Split, Croatia) led by Card Pietro Parolin. The ordination was postponed twice because of an accident and the pandemic. Mgr Jozić was appointed nuncio to Belarus a few months ago.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – At the end of the Mass for his episcopal ordination, Bishop Ante Jozić expressed thanks to the Church of China, Hong Kong and Macau, which he served for 10 years as the Pope's envoy to the Holy See Study Mission in Hong Kong, which operates as the de facto nunciature for China and the Church in China.
The ordination took place yesterday morning at the hands of Card Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, in the Church of Solin, near Split (Croatia), carried via live streaming and followed by many Chinese Catholics.
Mgr Jozić left Hong Kong in February 2019, a few months after the signing of the Sino-Vatican agreement on episcopal appointments, and after his appointment as nuncio to Ivory Coast and Titular Archbishop of Cissa.
His ordination was delayed twice. Scheduled for 1 May 2019, it had to be postponed because he was involved in a serious accident on 7 April 2019 in Split. After recovering, the ordination was set for 21 March 2020 in Rome, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed again.
Last May, Mgr Jozić was appointed nuncio to Belarus. He has already served in the nunciatures in Russia and the Philippines.
The concluding speech of the newly ordained bishop was delivered in several languages: Croatian, Italian, English, Chinese and Russian.
After thanking the Church of Croatia and the fatherly attention of Card Parolin and Pope Francis, Bishop Jozić said in Mandarin Chinese: “I am happy to salute the Catholic Church in China, all of her bishops and priests, as well as the faithful.
“I thank them for their fruitful cooperation over the past 10 years in building a better world and the Kingdom of God on this earth. Thank you all.”
Immediately afterwards, he added in English: “I greet our Chinese Catholic Church, especially the Church in Hong Kong and Macau, where I spent the last 10 years of service as head of the Holy See Study Mission in Hong Kong.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Card John Tong, apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, and to Mgr Stephen Lee of Macau for their hospitality, collaboration and testimony.
“My sincere thanks also go to all the priests, religious, communities of apostolic life and other ecclesial institutions for their collaboration and contribution.
“Special thanks to all the charitable organisations in Hong Kong and Macau, to all the laity, associations and the Order of Malta, who continuously help the Church, so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can reach those who do not believe and inspire even more those who believe.”
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24/10/2018 13:24
20/10/2020 16:00
