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Home / News & Publications / News Releases / Bp. Flores Farewell
Bishop Flores Farewell Message ( Español)
Issued: December 9, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Today, the 9th of December, commemoration of Saint Juan Diego, faithful messenger of the Gospel in the Americas, it has been announced in the Vatican that Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed me to serve as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. At this moment I am in Brownsville, Texas greeting the faithful in that Diocese. Tomorrow, December 10, I return to Detroit to begin the necessary task of concluding my work in Detroit, and preparing to take up this new responsibility. The ceremony of installation in Brownsville will take place on February 2, 2010, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
I am very grateful to the Holy Father for this expression of his pastoral care over the universal Church, and for having given me this sign of the providence of God. I am grateful too for the opportunity to serve as shepherd over the Diocese of Brownsville, a local church situated in the beautiful Rio Grande Valley, rich in gifts of faith, hope and charity, as well as in tradition and culture.
Three years ago, the Lord expressed his will in my life when Pope Benedict XVI sent me to Detroit to serve as auxiliary bishop. At that time, I accepted with the security of faith that the Lord was guiding not only my steps, but also those of the whole Church. That acceptance brought countless blessings into my life; these blessings came to me through the love and friendship offered to me by so many in the Archdiocese. I think particularly the priests, who welcomed me with such fraternal generosity and kindness. The ties of friendship and communion that I have formed during my three years in Detroit give me strength to move forward with confidence in the providence of God.
I would like to say publically how much I have appreciated the help and kindness of Cardinal Adam Maida, and of Archbishop Allen Vigneron. Cardinal Maida ordained me to the episcopacy and like a Father, he guided my first steps in the Archdiocese of Detroit; Archbishop Vigneron has given me the consolation of his friendship, and a powerful example of that gentle valor required of a good shepherd. I hope to take what I have learned from them to my new mission in Brownsville.
I will be in the Archdiocese for the festivities surrounding Our Lady of Guadalupe and the days of Advent and Christmas. In particular, I invite all of you to participate with Archbishop Vigneron, together with myself, in the Vigil Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 11, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
I pray that the Virgin Mother, under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, continue protecting with her maternal intercession the work of the Church of Detroit; may she bless and protect with her prayers Archbishop Vigneron, the Archdiocese of Detroit, each of you and your families.
In the Peace of Christ,
Daniel E. Flores, STD
Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
Bishop-designate for the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas
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