Prayers please, for a new bishop

Late last night the news embargo was lifted, and we learned that our bishop of 3.5 years, Bishop Peter A. Comensoli, has been appointed as the new archbishop of Melbourne.

Those who have been around for a while realise that there is no cause for either rejoicing or commiseration at such news, until the calibre of the replacement is known - and that can take up to 2 years after his appointment.

What we do need, beyond doubt, is prayer. Soaking, daily, communal and collective prayer, begging God for the grace of a new bishop that will fulfill God's whole purpose for his appointment and be the right person at the right time to lead our diocese into an immense harvest of souls for the kingdom of God.

So here's the prayer:

Eternal God and Father,
our Good Shepherd and Redeeming Lord,
in Your abundant Mercy give to Your Church
in this diocese of Broken Bay
a shepherd after Your own heart
who will walk securely in Your ways,
and who will with wise and loving care
watch over the welfare of Your people.
Do not look upon our sins, upon our apathy
nor upon our lack of response to Your call,
but look upon our great need for a bishop
whose greatest desire is the salvation of souls
and who wants the whole diocese to collaborate with him
in bringing souls back to You
and Your boundless Mercy.
Grant that he may be for us a fearless teacher
of the truth, a tireless preacher of the Gospel,
and wholeheartedly committed to doing
Your holy Will and only Your holy Will.
May he be a true father, good example,
inspiration and encouraging support to the priests, deacons and religious of our diocese.
So may Your Church in our diocese be built up in love
and Your holy name glorified;
we humbly ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
​
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Help of Christians, pray for us.
 
And below there is the PDF, print and share version:

Whether you are part of the Broken Bay diocese or not,
​please join us in praying for this most important intention.
Thank you