Long-time servants of Church in Brazil

As reported in this paper (January 5), Bishop Vincent Costa has now moved from Umuarama, a diocese in the state of Parana in Brazil to the diocese of Jundai in the state of São Paulo. Just to give readers an idea: if his nephews and nieces decide to re-visit him now, he is only 90 kilometres away from São Paulo airport, while Umuarama was some 900 kilometres distant. If my own relatives wanted to visit me they would have to journey another 3,000 kilometres or so! But no worries, I will be going down to Jundai when Bishop Costa assumes the diocese, so I can meet them half way - sort of! (Rio de Janeiro is unconnected in this case, as was erroneously printed in this paper.)

The transfer carries with it more responsibilities: Umuarama is a small respectable diocese of "the interior"; Jundai, in the heart of the state of São Paulo, is an urban and industrial diocese, which because of its size - 2,200 square kilometres - will have its own "interior". Umuarama is a diocese with a population of about 350,000, more rural than urban, while Jundai has more than a million people and its population is more urban. That is why I say it is a transfer that carries more responsibilities.

Just to confirm this: I don't know Jundai but Osasco, a nearby industrial city, where we have Maltese colleagues, is registering 250 new firms every month. It is possible, yes, if you take into account that before the crisis Brazil gradually had reached the figure of two million new jobs a year. (For those interested, this figure in 2009 went "down" to an increase of 1,300,000 new jobs.)

Our relationship, as people of God, with our bishops should be one of total respect, because as the years pass theirs is becoming a more challenging mission. We can discuss with our bishops, when we think differently, but with due respect - and this includes the various contributions in the hundred and one blogs that are sprouting each day. With due respect, say and write anything you want. The adjective is the enemy of the noun, they taught me once - I apologise for the diversion.

Bishop Costa came to Brazil, together with other colleagues, in 1969, 40 years ago. This "diocesan mission", if we can call it that, all started in 1959 when Mgr Victor Grech was Seminary Rector and succeeded in persuading Mgr Michael Gonzi, our Archbishop, to embark upon this mission. Unfortunately not a line was written about this beautiful experience in spite of its difficult moments.

If I can be permitted a personal note: I celebrated 25 years in Brazil last September, which means that in 1984 when I came to this country, this mission was in its 25th year.

I never said or wrote it, but what made me decide against all odds to come to Brazil at that moment - the Church in Malta was passing through a difficult time - was that deep in my heart I wanted to witness, with my life, that yes, I still believed in this mission and the work my then seminary friends where doing in Brazil.

Bishop Costa is not the only fruit of this "mission". In one way or another all our companions have served the Church too well over here.

To our friend Ċensu, I wish him a fruitful pastoral work in difficult times.

Meet on March 7 in Jundai!