A Word of Thanks

Dear sisters and brothers,

I now stand here before you as the newly ordained auxiliary bishop in Mainz, where my journey in Germany began 22 years ago. When I returned to Mainz from the Neckar Valley in November 2022 and accepted the position as vicar for clergy, I had no way of knowing that it would lead to this moment.

Many have asked me why there was such a long time between my appointment on November 26
and today’s ordination. There were several good reasons: first came Advent and Christmas,
and then the festive carnival season! But when March 15 was proposed, I immediately agreed,
because it falls on Laetare Sunday.  What could be more fitting at this time than the joyful call, “Rejoice!”? We are in the midst of Lent, and there are many distressing situations
in the world and in the Church. Right now, the longing for peace and also for joy is strong.
In all trials, we look forward to the saving act of Jesus. He will rise and gives us hope.

My insignia - my bishop’s staff, cross, and ring - were given to me as gifts. A heartfelt thank you for that! They are made of wood, a deliberate choice because wood is a powerful symbol of life and growth. The dolphin on my staff is a symbol of hope in the early Christian tradition, a sign of the risen Jesus as the saviour of souls, a saviour who brings shipwrecked people safely to shore.

Now I stand here, just the way I am - with my limits, weaknesses, and strengths. We humans are not perfect. Yet God continually seeks people who, in human eyes, may seem imperfect.
It is the Spirit that enables them. This was also the case with Samuel in the reading,
who ultimately, through God’s persistence, found David. No one had David on their radar, not even David himself! To discern whom God meant, Samuel had to listen to God repeatedly.
For God had a plan! 

God also had his very own plan for my life. I am grateful to stand here today, and I trust that God guides me and that His Spirit leads me. This is also reflected in my episcopal motto: “Led by Trust.” In the second reading, we heard: “Jesus will be your light.” It is Jesus Himself who invites me to embark on this path and to transcend my own limitations. I have a strong hope that His light will shine on my path and guide me.

Dear sisters and brothers,

I am certain this promise applies to all of us. Christ will be our light, and His love will guide us.
Let us continually discover ourselves in His light and recognize that the Church is diverse.
Let’s listen to one another, communicate, keep moving, dare to take risks, even dare to ruffle a few feathers at times, yet always with respect and honesty. When we live our faith in all its diversity and allow ourselves to be guided by God’s Spirit, we can discover that together, we are strong.

Now it is time to say thank you:
I want to thank Pope Leo for my appointment, as well as the Apostolic Nuncio, who is represented today by Msgr. Dr. Przemyslaw August Lewinski.

Dear Bishop Kohlgraf, I thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for conferring the ordination. It may sound a bit selfish to say, but I am truly relieved that you did not become the chair of the Bishops’ Conference, although, without a doubt, you would also have been an excellent choice. At this point, greetings to my fellow bishop Dr. Martin Marahrens from Hildesheim, who was ordained two weeks ago. I wish you strength, blessings, and good nerves.

My thanks also go to the two co-consecrators, Archbishop Stefan Burger from Freiburg
and fellow Carmelite Wilmar Santin, Prelate of Itaituba, Brazil. I am also grateful to Andreas Werner, Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Gerleve, who accompanied me sensitively during my retreat and gave me valuable guidance along the way.

To all of you present here, heartfelt thanks!  Starting with my family - Joyson and Joby with Tincy, Jaison, Biju with Shany and Babu - my religious family, my fellow brothers from the Indian and German provinces, and all friends and companions. I especially think of those who cannot be here with me today.

I am grateful to my Order’s Superior General Desiderio, Vice General Hariawan, the General Councillors, and Provincials of the Indian and German provinces. I am very pleased that so many of you are here today.

I thank the bishops and auxiliary bishops from near and far, the cathedral chapter, the vicar general and the vicar general’s authorized representative, the department heads, all priests, deacons, and pastoral staff, religious, employees of the personnel office, especially Department 1, representatives of the ecumenical community, public life, culture, politics, and the press for being here today.

Please understand that I cannot mention everyone by name and forgive me if I have unintentionally omitted someone. I do want to acknowledge those who helped in the planning, organization, execution, and design of today’s celebration in many ways, and who continue to contribute. I am especially grateful to my team and the monastic communities in Mainz and Hirschhorn, who have done a tremendous job during this time. Thank you for your support and excellent collaboration.

The joy and encouragement I have received from all sides since my appointment, and the many prayers, have carried and strengthened me over the past weeks and days. In short, I thank everyone who has come to celebrate this day with me.

Beyond that, I am grateful to God for all the experiences I have gathered in my life so far,
which have become a rich treasure. For study and education do not only take place in colleges and universities. Continuing education, seminars, and courses are important, of course,
but I am particularly grateful for the experiences I have gained as a pastor, vicar for clergy, and formation prefect. For the diverse insights into people’s lives in countless encounters and conversations, perspectives that broaden horizons and open new ways of seeing.

As I could say with full conviction 20 years ago, I can also say today: 
I feel very much at home in the Diocese of Mainz, and Mainz is a city where one can truly feel at home. As many of you already know, the Neckar Valley, especially Hirschhorn and Neckarsteinach, is also very dear to my heart. It is not only about the cities and towns, but about the people and the warmth they show me. For all of this, a big thank you. 
And now I look forward to the encounters and the times that lie ahead.