World News
Austin's bishop pledges to do his best to follow the Good Shepherd
Published:
AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) -- Bishop Joe S. Vasquez said he seeks to model the ways of Jesus Christ the good shepherd as the new head of the Austin Diocese. "Scripture is rich with the images of Christ as the good shepherd," he said to the more than 2,200 bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity present as he was installed as the fifth bishop of Austin. "As the new shepherd of this church, I will do my best to follow the good shepherd. He was he was "humbled and honored" that Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to head the diocese. His installation Mass was celebrated March 8 at St. William Church in Round Rock, just north of Austin. Speaking in both English and Spanish, Bishop Vasquez, the first Hispanic to lead the Austin Diocese, explained why he chose the phrase "Sigueme" or "Follow me" as his episcopal motto. This phrase comes from Jesus' words to Peter after the resurrection in the Gospel of John. "Follow me. These are two simple words, but very difficult to live out sometimes. As bishop, my love for Jesus Christ must be first, only then can I be free to serve and care for his sheep," he said. "It is important to know that the sheep are not mine, they belong to Christ. He has entrusted his sheep and lambs to the care of me, their shepherd." Bishop Vasquez also reflected on words found in "Lumen Gentium," the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, which presented the church as a mystery and as a communion of baptized believers.
Copyright (c) Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .
