Bermuda To Welcome New Catholic Bishop
Bermuda will welcome its new Roman Catholic Bishop today [Oct 1] at the Ordination Mass at St. Theresa’s Cathedral starting at 5.00 p.m.
“Scores of religious leaders have flown to the island to join in celebrating the Holy Mass of Ordination and parishioners from Bermuda’s six Roman Catholic churches will gather at the Cathedral to attend this milestone event in the Catholic Church in Bermuda,” a spokesperson said.
“Bishop-elect Wiesław Śpiewak, C.R. from Krakow, Poland will succeed Bishop Robert J. Kurtz, C.R. who served Bermuda for the past twenty years.
“Bishop Kurtz will be the Ordaining Bishop with The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli and Archbishop Patrick Pinder, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Nassau in the Bahamas. The Ordination Choir, over seventy voices strong will accompany the Liturgy.
“Dignitaries slated to attend include: the Governor of Bermuda, His Excellency, Mr. George Fergusson and Mrs. Fergusson; the Premier of Bermuda, the Honorable Michael Dunkley and Mrs. Dunkley; the Mayor of the City of Hamilton, Mr. Charles Gosling.
“Also, the Consul General of the United States, Mrs. Mary Ellen Koenig and her husband, Mr. Robert Koenig; the acting Consul of Portugal in Bermuda, Mrs. Andrea Moniz de Sousa and her husband Mr. de Sousa and the Honorary Consul of Italy, Mr. Gioacchino Di Meglio.
“The Diocese is also welcoming several Bishops for this sacred celebration including: Archbishop Joseph Harris of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Bishop Kenneth Richards, Bishop of St. John’s-Basseterre, Antigua and Barbuda, Bishop Christopher Glancy, the Auxiliary Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan in Central America and Bishop Luigi Secco, Bishop of Willemstad, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.
“The Venerable Andrew Doughty, Archdeacon of the Anglican Church in Bermuda will represent Bishop Nicholas Dill and the Anglican clergy.
“Also attending are the Superiors of the Congregation of the Resurrection who have come to Bermuda for this Mass of Episcopal Ordination: Very Rev. Bernard Hylla, Superior General, and members of the General Curia in Rome, Very Rev. Evandro Miranda Rosa and the Very Rev. James Gibson.
“The Provincial Superiors: Fr. Murray McDermott of the Ontario-Kentucky Province; Fr. Krzysztof Swol of the Polish Province and Fr. Michael Osuch who is representing the Provincial of the USA Province.
“Several Resurrectionist priests have also travelled to Bermuda from Poland, Germany, Italy, Canada, USA and Australia to concelebrate the Mass with our on-island priests. The Leadership Team of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, who founded Mount Saint Academy in 1890 will be represented by Sr. Roberta Kerins and Sr. Maryanne Ruzzo.
“A reception will be held at Mount Saint Agnes Academy for all those attending immediately following the conclusion of the Mass.”
Anyone run a background check?
Both my wife I were fortunate enough to live and work in Bermuda just a shy short of 8 years and as Roman Catholics we practiced our faith as parishioners of Saint Theresa’s Cathedral where we were fortunate to be led by Bishop Robert J. Kurtz, C.R. in exercising our faith. We admired his strength when performing his duties, the commitment to his faith as well as the devotion in providing leadership and guidance to his flock. We both have many a stories to share with readers about Bishop Kurtz’s sterling work but fear it would run into pages rather than snippets. May the good Lord bless him with many years of retired life. He most definitely deserves it.