Roman Catholic Bishops

"Berlanga sent to the crown a description of what he saw, a brief and unvarnished report from the standpoint of a cool-headed observer. His mission was well intended, but practically impossible. Pizarro had artfully removed the other party to the proposed arbitration, and Berlanga was too honest to yield to insinuations of a one-sided investigation."

"My call to the Episcopate happens in the context of the crisis in Casamance that lasts and there does not seem to be a solution. This may lead many to a certain weariness and discouragement. This motto wants to give new courage and once again remind all men of good will that all things are possible to who believes in God."

"It is important to elect leaders who understand the situation in which we find ourselves and who adopt clear policies in favor of the protection of the common home, to address the climate crisis, for the good of future generations."

"Two thoughts seemed to dominate his life—religion and patriotism; thoughts which form the basis of every true life"

"Peace is non-negotiable. We urge our local government not to become a political hostage to these oppressive policies. Christmas must inspire and encourage us to promote a peaceful city, a peaceful island and a peaceful country free from senseless attacks."

"If we manage to intensify coexistence between local faithful and immigrants and to make their cohabitation more gratifying, the pastoral care of migrants represents a great opportunity for the Catholic Church in Switzerland."

"The amount of work before the missionaries may be better imagined than described, but though unworthy and poor instruments in the hands of Him to show forth the might of his arm, chose to procure the salvation of mankind by the ministry not of angels, but of men, they put their whole trust and confidence in Him."

"The translator, while in Rome in 1899, picked up a copy of the work in a book-store. He was attracted by the title, and still more by the table of contents. No book he had read on the subject seemed quite satisfactory. He began to read this, and was fairly carried away by its order, its precision, its luminous teaching, its deep spirituality and its common sense. When he had read it through, he put it aside for some months and then took it up again. It was even more instructive, edifying and delightful than when first read, thus fulfilling in a measure the conditions of a classic."

"This beautiful work of creation is one of the few marine paradises we have left, and we should protect it from any threat, especially the threat of coal, which should have been eliminated long ago because of its serious impact on people’s lives and the environment."

"The Church with which you are committed, and which you want to serve, is like an inn of Christ; a place of hospitality, healing and communion. Be careful not to turn it into an inn for bandits or thieves to rob, extort, exploit, mistreat and harm the people of God, your brothers and sisters, to whom, on the contrary, you should be close."

"Beloved alike by Protestants and Catholics, and revered for his gentleness and his apostolic zeal on behalf of the poor and lowly."

"We may then easily obtain the power of calling out the members of any Religious Society established in this country when the necessities of the Diocese require it. The power is invested in the Bishops of Ireland because it is a mission country. The same reason applies much more forcibly in this country."

"The objective is to help each priest to live his ministry as a means of sanctification, and to lead the people of the faithful to follow our model, Jesus Christ."

"When the bishop took over, his territory was in a very discouraging condition owing to a succession of years of drought and crop failures. Many settlers abandoned their farms and availed themselves of the opening of the new Territory of Oklahoma. Since then, the Kansas portion of what had been formerly known as the Great American Desert has improved under better methods of farming, and is now justly described as the garden spot of the West."

"The episcopal dignity is no favor, it is a heavy burden, it is a ministry terrible to the angels themselves, the dangers and responsibilities of which we understand, to day better than ever."

"I believe that we all long for peace and that there is not a single Catholic bishop in Rwanda, Burundi or the Democratic Republic Republic of the Congo who could be happy about what is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

"I have always advised all the faithful to remain discreet and humble. But today I would like to praise out loud and with pride, in front of everyone, this Catholic father who not only consecrated his life to the Lord with faith but who offered him his three sons who are priests and he is the only one in our diocese."

"There was no law in the statutes of the country penalizing the exercise of the Catholic Religion, but the penal laws of Ireland were supposed to be applicable to Newfoundland. However, the principle would not work both ways, and when Catholic Emancipation was granted to Ireland these same interpreters of the law held that the privileges of Emancipation did not apply to Newfoundland. During the whole course of his episcopate Bishop Fleming fought against, these injustices and finally succeeded in obtaining full freedom for the Catholics."

"Although he was a self-educated — in contradistinction to a college-bred — man, yet he early attained to real scholarship in ecclesiastical learning. His knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, which he read in their original Hebrew and Greek, and of the Fathers of the Church, also read in their Greek and Latin texts, was deep and accurate. From these pure sources of Christian truth he drew rich material for his unique preaching, his sermons portraying an originality of thought, a precision of language and an earnestness of delivery peculiarly his own. Moreover, his character of sterling honesty, his hatred of sham, his practices of mortification, sense of duty and many other virtues are even stronger."

"Our Holy Mother the Church here reminds the Just that it is only by a perseverance in the pathways of religion, and by partaking of the refreshing fountains of the sacraments, that they can hope to attain to that crown of immortality to which they aspire—:To the avaricious she exhibits treasures, surpassing all the riches of the Nations of the earth—: To the sensual she displays pleasures beyond the power of human imagination to conceive — To the describe she exposes the deformity of bis degrading passions, and points to a love more pure than earthly hopes could promise."

"Another consideration, of no little weight with an absolute sovereign, augmented his leaning in favour of Catholics. He knew them to be loyal from principle, and he was glad to have their support against the Puritan devils by whom he declared that his mother and himself had been haunted from their cradles. His experience of government in Scotland had nourished the belief that where there was no bishop there would be no King, and he made no secret of his persuasion that the hierarchy was the firmest support of the throne."

"Bishop Gibney's work will leave a lasting mark on the history of Western Australia. A simple, earnest man; he toils eagerly, at all hours, for his fellows. Of kindly disposition and generous nature, he has widespread popularity, and is loved, not only by his own people, but by all who know his goodness throughout the colony. He watches over his flock as carefully and zealously as the shepherd tends his sheep, and he leads them to the good pasture land, where their souls may fatten. Guided by such altruistic spirits as he, it is no wonder that the Roman Catholic Church becomes a great power in the land."

"To me it is an honor as well as a duty to defend him when so unjustly attacked, for in common with my fellow-Catholics all over the world I recognize in him the Vicar on earth of the Eternal Prince of Peace. I do not expect that my many non-Catholic friends will accept our belief, which is, however, so well grounded on the inspired words of Holy Scripture, regarding the Primacy of the Pope; but I would ask if it is too much to expect that they will do justice to his untiring efforts to secure peace and relieve some of the very distressing features of the war."

"The secular system of education is based largely on the theory that man is born for the State and that he derives his rights from the State. The socialist would have the State absorb all authority in the domain of learning and of industry, and there are many secular educators who would fain see the monopoly of education lodged in the power of the State. The Catholic system is based on the right of the parent, the right of the child, and a reasonable individualism."

"The families of gang members and members of our community, along with the population in general will be present. This is an ecumenical event which aims to support the efforts for peace that the Catholic Church launched with the truce among the gangs. The important thing is that we have started the process, and that this has resulted in a reduction of the murders. There are some groups who have not yet decided to participate in this process, but we are working hard also for this reason, in order to integrate these groups."

"We are a nation of immigrants, in our Church here in Australia there are people of many different nationalities. But the question we ask ourselves daily: is how to reach the native Australians?"

"He proved to be a successful church builder."

"Corruption is still a big problem in the country because corrupt politicians continue to be elected. If we continue to vote for candidates who are known to be corrupt, we cannot expect our lives to improve. If we allow ourselves to be involved in corrupt practices like this nothing will change in the country. Follow your conscience. And let us follow all that God tells us to do."

"Remarkable for his piety and learning, he played throughout sixty years a potent part in the religious, and even in the civil, life of Canada."

"Anyone familiar with the history of Ireland under English and Protestant domination will recognize that it was natural enough for such organizations to be formed among Irish Catholics. When the laws were made against the interests of the great mass of the people, it was the necessary to erect a barrier of defence. No doubt, some abuses were occasionally connected with the operation of these societies, but, in the main, they defended the religious and civil liberties of the Irish people."

"Exercise is as essential to the health of the soul as it is to that of the body. A condition of habitual quiescence and stagnation were fatal to the health of both."

"No region has experienced so great changes within the last fifty years as has Western Pennsylvania."

"The business ability of the bishop assisted somewhat to temper his zeal in certain directions, and to guide his labors as administrator and head of the church, whose interest he ably promoted."

"I am something like the hands and feet of the social work that we do as a group in the process of transforming the Colombian territory. The working group helps us to be visible in the international community and to carry out a large part of our work. During the meeting with Pope Francis on June 12, the Pope described Colombia as a noble country with lovely people and workers, but we must not forget that there is enormous suffering due to the violence that has gripped us for over 70 years."

"Understand that killing each other and shedding even more blood in a territory that has always been stained with the blood of innocent men and women is not the right way.*We are here, pilgrims of hope to meet Jesus Christ, alongside the victims of violence and armed conflict."

"Our excellent relationships with other faiths are a viaticum to help ease tension and prevent clashes."

"The Lord Jesus promised that he would send his Spirit, the Comforter, to tell us what we must do at all times. And that presence has not been lacking throughout the history of the Church. It has always been there. When we have done wrong it is because we have not listened to his voice."

"Instances are alleged in the lives of the saints where miracles have been wrought by the blessings of holy men and women. There is no reason to limit the miraculous interference of God to the early ages of the Church's history, and the Church never accepts these wonderful occurrences unless the evidence in support of their authenticity is absolutely unimpeachable."

"Our Church is very small, but for this reason we feel a big family. We all know each other and are very close."

"The early history of the diocese is intimately bound up with the truly heroic labours of Father O'Reilly, and foundations of many of the present parishes were the results of his missionary zeal."

"As public policy addresses the question of immigration, it must be so with a keen awareness of the dignity of every person so that whatever results will support the development of each person, respect human qualities, and give and foster family values."

"To protect and defend the family means to protect and defend oneself. There is no hope without the family."

"Our people lack formation in the faith and to respond better to the call to mission we need to adopt new methods. We plan to build a church in a high-tech industry to carry the Gospel to the people of today."

"Besides being the President of the United States, Obama is also a Nobel Peace Prize winner. His visit to a predominantly Muslim country is also a way to demonstrate his commitment to bring peace and affirm that Islam is not the enemy of the United States nor is the United States an enemy of Islam. Obama also carries the message that Islam can coexist and contribute to a pluralistic society, not only in our country - where many religious communities co-exist and different cultures - but also in other parts of the world. Obama's visit is an opportunity to reaffirm that in Islam there are positive values, while in recent years has prevailed at the international level, the idea of Islam as a religion inspired by violence."

"We ask forgiveness for the genocide as individuals, because it is not the Church as such that committed these crimes, but his children who have sinned. It also condemns the ideology of genocide that was an important element in unleashing the tragedy that involved the destruction of so many lives and the social fabric of our Country."

"There is no reason why "bad news" should continue to take center stage and to spread everywhere at lightening speed while "the Good News" is relegated into the background and/or never heard at all. It is our responsibility as "Missionaries of Today" to champion with enthusiasm the dissemination of the Good News of victory of truth over lies, love over hatred, forgiveness over vengeance, humility over pride, unity over division, and peace over war."

"It is not enough to have only sympathy for the poor and the neglected. We must help them find their place in life and restore their dignity. Contemplating the commandment to love, let us revive the justice of God on this earth."

"Catholics have an important role to play as builders of bridges of reconciliation among the ethnic groups, since the Church is recognised and appreciated all over the Island also for its work to promote and defend human rights."

"I have a Vicariate as large as all France, and three churches and two priests."

"Hispanics, and in particular Hispanic Catholics, are determined to be part of the solution to the current reality: the COVID-19 pandemic, the call for racial justice, and the continuing impact of global climate change."