Catholics From Spain

"Gloria summa tibi, laus et benedictio, Christe, Qui praestas famulis haec bona grata tuis."

"Lorenzana's government of the archdiocese, though a brief one, was marked by acts that justly entitled him to a high place among the most distinguished members of the Mexican episcopacy."

"Porrige dulcisonas attentis auribus escas; Nolo tacere velis, nolo tacere velis."

"His humility and simplicity of manner, though by nature retiring, drew to him the hearts of all classes."

"This excellent prelate had fulfilled the functions of his bishopric, for nine years, in Guatemala, so satisfactorily to the masses, that his elevation to supreme power in Mexico was hailed as a national blessing. He devoted himself from the first, diligently, to the adornment of the capital and the just and impartial administration of public affairs. He improved the roads and entrances into the city; and, by his moderation, justice and mildness, united with liberality and economy, raised the reputation of his government to such a degree of popular favor that, in the annals of New Spain, it is referred to as a model public administration."

"A general feeling of satisfaction prevailed when the appointment of Rivera as viceroy became known, for the fame he had acquired in Guatemala, and during his pastoral labors in the capital, had justly won for him the good opinion of the people."

"Although he confirmed many Indians, he complained of the universal ignorance of Christian doctrine."

"One of the greatest missionaries to the Mexican aborigines."

"Vasco de Quiroga had displayed so much wisdom and disinterestedness in the affairs of Michoacan, that although not a churchman, the bishopric was offered to him as being the person most suitable for the position."

"As the proceedings of Guzman were fresh in everybody's mind, he heard of them, and at once went into the neighborhood of Tzintzuntzan to relieve, if possible, the condition of the people of Calzonzi. They had fled in terror from their homes, deserting the towns and hiding in the mountains. Quiroga, with great perseverance and gentleness, found them out, and prevailed at last upon the poor Tarascans, who came to love him with passionate devotion."

"Had Spain specially desired to throw away Mexico, the appointment of Archbishop Lizana was the very thing to do. Old, sickly, as feeble in mind as in body, he was fitter for a hospital than for the viceregal palace. In one sense he was too good for the place. Spain wanted there a mean man, a hypocritical, lying trickster; one who could be false to all the world except Spain—particularly one who would be false to Mexico. Now Lizana was none of these. He was passably honest. He had a good heart, and a benign disposition; he lacked altogether the force of will to hold down insubordination, or regulate contending factions. Yet it was a lucky choice for the cause of independence. The policy of such a ruler must necessarily be timid, and his purpose vacillating. Episcopal pastorals were employed where viceregal orders should have been presented on the point of the sword. Frank and sincere, he had no insight into human character."

"He was the poorest of the bishops, his annual stipend being only $6,000, and he received no share from tithes."

"He had devoted himself earnestly to the duties of his calling, and never lost sight of the fact that the church in New Spain needed much reformation and a more regular organization. While he steadily opposed the encroachments of the regular orders, he was not blind to the shortcomings of the secular clergy and the abuses which prevailed in his see. In his administration he ever sought the advice of men prominent for their excellence and sound judgment."

"His reports and mission entries are distinguished by their exactness and beauty of penmanship. Though a very zealous missionary, Señan loved a retired life. He disliked to hold office or give orders; for this reason he was sometimes nicknamed Padre Calma."

"He became endeared to all who came in contact with him."

"He laboured with zeal and fidelity till his death."

"From the day of Valdivieso's arrival to the downfall of the governor some three years later, the history of the province contains little else than a series of mutual recriminations and intrigues."

"The bishop of Antequera, Antonio Bergosa y Jordan, a stanch royalist, who had been promoted to archbishop of Mexico and was making preparations to depart for his new field of episcopal duties, was requested by the ayuntamiento and some prominent citizens of Oajaca, at this critical period not to leave the diocese, where his influence would have great weight. He not only acquiesced and influenced public opinion in favor of the royal cause with his pastorals and sermons, but raised and armed a body of ecclesiastics."

"His government was brief and altogether eventless."

"Pious and benevolent was the third bishop, the Dominican Bartolomé de Ledesma, who ruled from 1581 to 1604, and left a distinguished name as a writer and patron of education."

"After many years of splendid service González, in Dec., 1889, resigned all his offices and dignities, except that of the cardinalate, and retired from active life. The remaining five years of his life were spent in study and prayer."

"He was a very pious and energetic missionary, but dreaded the office of superior."

"As far as it concerns me personally, would that it might be to-morrow, so that I might retire between the four walls of a cell to weep over the time I wasted in behalf of these unfortunates."

"While Bishop Domenec was recognized as a man of great learning, an eloquent preacher, and a zealous and indefatigable chief pastor of the diocese, it is to be regretted that the closing chapter in the life and history of this amiable and saintly prelate was darkened by the gloom of one of the severest trials that any bishop in the United States has ever passed through."

"Ortega, being a broad-minded man, could see the good of the wishes of both sides."

"I love having the gift of friendliness, because thanks to that gift, I've been able to talk about Jesus to those around me. Now I wouldn't change my relationship with God, which in the end required me to distance myself from many things in my life that weren't coherent. The secret of my happiness is my faith. It's in knowing that living in this world is tough, but that God sees everything, and if He permits it, one day I will be with Him."

"I have always tried to have good contact with all of you and I know that you are very good Bishops and as the Papal Visit showed the Catholic Church in this country is strong. I can assure you that the Catholic community of the UK will always be in my heart. Thank you to every one of you."

"He discharged the viceregal as he had the pastoral duties, with tact and uprightness, his fine education and elegant manners aiding at all times to enhance the merit of his acts."

"This is a social issue of great magnitude and we must support children, teens and young people who have suffered sexual abuse, no matter by whom."

"Con el honor le vencí, porque siempre los villanos tienen su honor en las manos, y siempre miran por sí; que por tantas variedades, es bien que se entienda y crea, que el honor se fue al aldea huyendo de las ciudades."

"Sentiments that spring forth in our children are distinct from the examples given on television which are rooted in selfishness, violence and hatred. They have no right to manipulate our children with high-quality sitcoms that hook parents and kids, teaching them the worst sentiments: anger, vengeance, or premature love."

"Faced with the present situation in Spain the Lord calls us Catholics to suffer and be scorned because we are Christians, Christian religious sentiment is attacked and ridiculed by certain media."

"One of the great challenges we have, as human beings and as Catholics, to show the truth of life as a mystery and to educate in the truth of the social dimension of the human being. We have to try to show children and young people that the reification of life only brings suffering. It is necessary to educate in responsible freedom."

"We have to witness to what produces our following of Christ so than man may grow personally according to the Spirit, and new forms of life have appeared that are more in accordance with human dignity. At this time of history the great service the church is called upon to provide in Europe is that of showing her true identity."

"You become dizzy due to the immensity of what marriage means, but when you're in love, these things become easier. I find myself in love with the Lord and with the mission he is entrusting to me."

"I do not believe that young people of today do not want to know about God... much less that they do not seek meaning in life. That would be an incorrect judgement. What is true is that we cannot expect young people to come to us... We are duty bound to reach them. But the reality is that, all over the world, young people are open and available to be reached if they find someone who can be their educators, be their friends."

""I am still that little boy from Luanco, where I really feel at home among my people and my compatriots. It is essential in life not to forget our roots. [...] I will continue to be the same, with a different responsibility, but profoundly human and solidly grounded. [...] Feels very happy to accompany young people in their life. It is in my DNA, and wherever I go and whatever I am asked to do, there will always be attention to the young, to education, to the most vulnerable, and this is what I will be able to offer, together with my personal style, to my new service, where I will try to give the best of myself, through dialogue and respect for diversity."

"Q: Who would Ángel Fernández Artime be today if he had not known the Salesians? A: Had I not known the Salesians, I was going to be a fisherman, like my cousins or my father. That was my future. But once I was able to study more, thanks to the Salesians, I thought I would be a doctor. I liked medicine so much that I had thought of starting my college studies towards it. But then, the mystery of God that makes you feel something special in your heart… I remember that already as I was to begin my college studies, I felt I had to talk to my parents about it. And the answer, which I cannot but see as a mediation from God, was: ‘Son, this is your life. If it makes you happy, go!”. That was the whole discernment."

"My childhood was that of a very simple and serene child, in a village in northern Spain, a small village on the sea, a fishing village: a context that has deeply marked me, starting from nature, the sea, the sun. I was a child and then a teenager who grew up in a very healthy, very humble family of fishermen, where everything was simple, where the affection of my parents was sincere, with a grandmother, an uncle, with other grandparents and uncles and emotional ties that allowed me to grow with great emotional confidence and which I believe made me a boy, then a young man and then an adult who was particularly serene, quiet, affectionate, expansive, full of feelings. Q: How did your Salesian vocation come about? A: For two reasons. First of all, I grew up in a happy family. A simple and genuine Christian environment where God was present, where devotion to Mary was alive, where I saw how my father, my uncle, when they left for the sea, trusted in God because the sea can be very treacherous and they did not know what they would encounter. And then because I was able to study with the Salesians. An elderly person who was a friend of the Salesians in Leon and who spent his summer holidays in my village was a good friend of my parents and thought that the best thing he could do for this child, who was me, was for him to study with the Salesians. I left my village like this, met the Salesians and was very impressed by how the Salesians treated me and my companions, by their friendship, spontaneity, affability, simplicity. All this meant that I was somewhat anxious,because although I had already conmpleted the documentation to enter the University to study medicine or chemistry, the desire welled up in me to try a choice of life that promised happiness, with the Salesians."

"The Brotherhoods are a transversal reality, like the Church itself. Popular piety is not for illiterate people, it is a way of encountering God: the via pulchritudinis which is not only perfectly valid for the encounter with God, but is complementary to a more speculative way. There are many very educated, very cultured people, for whom this way is the one that most helps them to encounter God."

"At a time of great migrations that arouse suspicion and rejection, the Church wants to respond with the force of charity, to create the culture of encounter."

"It's a fact that we are called to live in a climate of faith, above all, to give thanks to God for the witness that these brothers of ours left us."

"Live in hope. And in hope, we are guided to put ourselves on the path which leads us to the goal of following in the footsteps of the Lord and his mother Mary, who is our mother."

"The dignity of the human person demands that all men and women be treated, not as animals, nor as machines, but as persons and children of God."

"Unemployment is the gateway for many families to poverty and social exclusion, but employment is not always the way out of social exclusion because the salary received is not sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of a dignified life."

"Our paradise is not linked to a specific place, or a concrete time. It is not tied to vacations, nor does it consist of having many things within reach, nor is it attained by giving free rein to our passions. It is not the property of a few, and is not obtained by human effort alone. The New Testament reveals the last secret of this divine plan for man's happiness: Jesus Christ is our happiness, he is our Paradise."

"We go to the Holy Land in a spirit of communion with the Christians who live and suffer there, praying and celebrating the Eucharist with them, which is very much appreciated and mutually reinforcing. The spirit is that of pilgrims who learn from the Holy Places and let ourselves be filled by the grace of the pilgrimage"

"I am very clear that in the Church we all row: My image of the Church is the trawler. In the trawler we all row. The bishop may be at the helm, setting the pace or changing the direction a little, but we all row: priests, laity, religious. I want the laity to support and I want to promote the participation of the laity. All together."

"It is truly a Catholic Church because there are more than 115 nationalities. The key is to understand that Catholicism unifies. For this reason, the Catholic Church in Finland is really Catholic because it is one. We all want to go to heaven. And this also unifies us."

"I guess I seem a bit unusual in Finland, don't I? Finnish and Basque, doctor and bishop and "young and dynamic," but especially young."