A New Bishop of Quiche

No, it is not a cheese and spinach pie! Quiche is the name of a Catholic diocese in the Central American nation of Guatemala where the Most Reverend Mario Molina, OAR, was ordained bishop on January 22, 2005. Bishop Molina has been called to serve a large Catholic community of some 60,000 people whose language is predominately Spanish, but who also speak a number of local dialects, which were reflected in the readings and commentaries of the Mass of Ordination. Quiche runs through the mountainous central region of Guatemala, a predominantly agricultural area with widely spaced towns. The standard of living would be considered extremely poor by American standards. Serving this large area are some 30 priests.

I traveled to Guatemala with two fellow Recollects, Frs. James McGuire and John Oldfield, in order to be present for the ordination and to show support to an old friend. In 1968, as a young candidate to the religious life, Mario Molina came to St. Augustine Province from his native Panama in order to begin his formation as an Augustinian Recollect. He made his novitiate year, professed simple vows, and completed his undergraduate studies at St. Augustine Monastery in Kansas City, Kansas, from 1968-72, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rockhurst College, a Jesuit institution attended at that time by many of our professed students. He then returned to Panama for his profession of solemn vows and priestly ordination, as well as to continue his advanced studies in Biblical Theology. After completing his studies, he went on to distinguish himself as a dedicated teacher, writer, and pastor. He served the Church in Guatemala for twenty years before being recognized for his outstanding leadership in all aspects of Church life by being named bishop by Pope John Paul II.

I was privileged to be present at the General Chapter of the Augustinian Recollects in Rome in October 2004, when the decree of appointment of Fr. Molina as bishop was officially announced. I had not seen Fr. Molina for a long time, but our meeting and month-long work together in the Chapter bridged the years and moved me to decide to be present for this new step in his priestly and religious life. Fr. Molina's character as a generous and humble pastor was revealed when, much to our surprise, he met us at the airport in Guatemala City (after waiting out a three-hour delay!) and acted as our chauffeur to the seminary where we would be staying so that, I the midst of so many preparations for the ordination "we would have a chance to talk."

Accompanied by Recollects from Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and various Central American countries, as well as by our Fr. General, Javier Guerra, and a number of Recollect Bishops, we traveled by bus some three hours from the seminary in Guatemala City to reach Quiche. Since the local cathedral was too small to accommodate the estimated eight to ten thousand people who would be attending the event, it was held in a field, where a large platform supporting an altar had been constructed and decorated with local produce and materials.

Our arrival at the place of celebration was marked by a series of explosions -- fireworks, which continued through the ceremony, and which loudly expressed an aspect of local celebration. The liturgy of installation was impressive, not only because of the number of bishops, priests, and people who were present, but also because of the care that had been taken in preparing the smallest details to make us and the many other visitors feel welcome. Bottles of water were thoughtfully passed out to some 100 priests and 26 bishops who assisted at the ordination so that the hot sun of the day would not cause too much discomfort during the three-hour ceremony. The vast majority of the people stood in the hot sun for the entire service but with a patience that bespoke their faith and their joy at witnessing the official arrival of their new bishop. The diocese had been under an administrator for several years, since the previous bishop had been killed -- an act of violence that contributed of the naming of Quiche "land of martyrs." To this land of great dangers and of great faith, Bishop Molina had been called, accepting the challenge without hesitation.

When all was ready for the ceremony to begin, the long procession wound through overflowing crowds of people to the accompaniment of joyful and inspiring music provided by the local choir, consisting mostly of children. Since Quiche contains one of the largest indigenous populations in Guatemala, the liturgy was marked by many folk customs including the offering of produce from the four "zones" of the diocese and colorful dances, which preceded the offertory of the Mass. A marimba, flutes, and drums accompanied the lively singing of hymns that filled the service.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Bishop Molina spoke of his desire to serve the people of Quiche as pastor, brother, and friend. The people showed their approval of their new bishop by numerous rounds of applause. After the ceremony, a dinner was served for Bishop Molina, his family, who were present for the occasion, and the many well-wishers who came to congratulate him. Again, it was amazing to see the efficiency with which so many hungry and thirsty people were served -- hopefully a sign of what the future may bring!

Our stay in Guatemala, a first visit for me, was marked by a fraternity that is typical of Augustinian Recollects. Our Lady of Consolation Province, to which Bishop Molina belongs, hosted the event. The seminary community where we stayed for our five-day trip welcomed us warmly and each day arranged to entertain and inform us with various excursions to visit the natural and cultural sights of the Guatemalan Capital and the countryside. Poverty could be seen everywhere, reinforcing the need for material and spiritual assistance for the people of Guatemala. Bishop Molina together with his priests and lay leaders will be facing a challenging task as they work to fulfill the faith vision captured in the words of the new bishop's coat-of-arms: That the Church Might be Built Up. This "Church," of course, refers to far more than a building, but represent the aspirations of the people of Quiche and of Guatemala for a better life, built of the good foundation that has already been laid, but climbing up to higher degrees of justice, peace, and prosperity, and of a religious faith that can help bring all these things about through the grace of God and the common efforts of believers.

Our congratulations, prayers, and fraternal support to Bishop Mario Molina, OAR. May others follow in his footsteps and take up the call to serve Jesus Christ and the poor in whom He lives.

Fr. John Gruben, OAR

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