Upcoming Events: A New Bishop in Honduras and A Young Adults Retreat in Virginia

Bishop Elect Michael Lenihan, OFM

Next week I will be travelling to Honduras to participate in and help facilitate at the consecration of Fr. Michael Lenihan, OFM, as first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Ceiba on the north coast of Honduras. Fr. Michael has been a good friend and a spiritual father to me since the beginning of my time of service in Honduras more than 10 years ago. He has chosen as his episcopal motto: "From Swords to Ploughshares," a phrase from Isaiah 2:4 with particular significance for Honduras at this time of escalated violence.

Bishop Elect Michael is from Limerick, Ireland. He entered the Irish Franciscans and studied theology in Rome, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1980. In 1984 He came to El Salvador as a missionary, eventually affiliating with the Central American Province of the OFMs. He subsequently served in Honduras and Guatemala, and bore the responsibilities of Vicar General of the Diocese of Comayagua and Provincial Councillor.

The new Diocese of Ceiba consists of two departments (or "states") that previously belonged to the Diocese of San Pedro Sula: Atlantida and the Bay Islands. It has a population of nearly 550,000, almost 400,000 of whom are Catholics. It has 11 parishes, served by 6 diocesan and 15 religious priests, supported by an additional 38 religious.

Please pray for Fr. Michael as he takes this double step of becoming a bishop and organizing a new diocese.

I travel directly from Honduras to Virginia to help lead the "Forging Ahead" young adults retreat being sponsored and coordinated by my good friends, the Missioners of Christ. Please pray that the young adults who attend will be inspired to take the next good step in deepening their relationship with Christ and responding to His call to live and share the Gospel.