The Holy Father Francis appointed the current auxiliary bishop of the Tarnów diocese, Artur Important, as Bishop of Sosnowiec. The Pope’s decision was announced yesterday at noon by the Apostolic Nunciature in Poland. In the Tarnów diocese, the nomination was announced at the Major Seminary in Tarnów. Ingress is planned for June 22.
“I’m going to serve God and people,” he said Bishop Artur Ważny. – This is what the Gospel says today, that we should go to serve where Jesus is and where those who are looking for God all the time are. This message from the Gospel today strengthens me very much. Without it, it wouldn’t be simple humanly. When I look at it this way, that it is an invitation from Him to follow Him, to wander where He wants to go, it is a great joy, hope and such strengthening that there is no need to fear anything – confessed the hierarch.
Bishops, priests, students and lay employees of the curia gathered in the seminary hall in Tarnów. There were congratulations and wishes.
– It’s a bit like the psalm says today: “He who sows in tears will reap in joy.” There are some tears when I leave here, because I am so rooted here. This diocese has been my diocese for 40 years. However, it is not very far, over 160 km there is one cathedral from the other. It comforts me that I will come back here to enjoy the fruits of work and prayer together. I cordially greet the dioceses of Sosnowiec. I say peace to you. Peace to you, diocese of Sosnowiec. I can’t wait to meet you, says Bishop Ważny.
As he adds, he will like to transfer the experience he gained in the Tarnów diocese to the Sosnowiec diocese: “Here I learned the Church, here I learned Jesus, how to build the Kingdom of God, I have friends here among priests and lay people, many friendly communities. I hope that this will result in strong prayer that will accompany me. I know that. I think I will also come back here to meet once more and return to work with new strength.
The nomination was announced on the feast of St. Wojciech, patron saint of Poland, and in the week of prayers for vocations.
– Many of these symbols appear and I try to read them. Vocations are an important issue because without priests it is difficult to imagine sacramental life and the life of the Church. I pray for vocations from the Tarnów and Sosnowiec dioceses. I count on lay people. I know several families from the Sosnowiec diocese and communities that are close to me. I think that together we will undertake the work of evangelization, said Bishop Ważny.
Bishop of Tarnów, Andrzej Jeż, said that Bishop Artur Ważny was very well prepared to perform his new duties. – I am convinced that having extensive experience in building strong relationships with God, among others, through great retreats, preaching the Word of God, but also the ability to establish very strong interpersonal relationships, which are very important today, he will be able to build this special place, which is the diocese of Sosnowiec, as part of the people of God, a community following the example of Christ. We are happy, we congratulate you, we surround you with our prayers and we will support Bishop Artur on this path – he added.
Bishop Artur Ważny is a valued retreat leader, former parish priest, exorcist, creator of many pastoral initiatives related to youth, families, and new evangelization. For years, through various works and retreats, he has been helping people experiencing life difficulties, including: parents following the loss of a child, women who have had abortions, infertile couples, non-sacramental relationships and sexually abused people.
In the Polish Episcopal Conference, he serves as the Chairman of the KEP Team for the New Evangelization and is a member of the Council of Bishops for Youth Pastoral Care.
Ingres is scheduled for June 22.
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