The people’s hope in Bishop Bernard

Jan 20, 2016

“I came to show my support, as well as to pray for him,” said 93-year-old Mary Lean from Johor Bahru. She urged everyone to keep the new bishop in their prayers. “It is not only when they are ordained that they become good. We need to continue praying (for them) so that Bishop Bernard and all the other bishops will be able to fight all the temptations that come their way.”

“This is a rare chance to witness an ordination. I took this opportunity to bring my Aunt Mary Lean too. “My hope is that Bishop Bernard will be able to help us in our life experiences, to be closer to Jesus.” -- Charles Tan, Johor Bahru

“The Mass was something very grand. There was holiness and sacredness. Everything went smoothly. I  am really impressed with the whole set-up. “I find Bishop Bernard a dynamic and spiritual man. I have seen how he made changes in Penang and  Ipoh. For sure we will see something in store  for us.” --Michael Xavier, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Johor Bahru

“Tony D’Silva of St Peter’s Church in Pengkalan Rama made it to Johor Bahru, along with several other parishioners, by bus.

Speaking on behalf of them, he said, “Along with my fellow parishioners, blessed with the wonderful opportunity to be present at your Episcopal ordination and installation ceremony, we are most happy to welcome our Lordship as the new Bishop of the Melaka-Johor Diocese.

“Also, from all of us, words of profound gratitude to all those who planned the event, liturgy as well as related aspects, to allow us to worship in much spirit and truth.

“As you are now ordained into high office, it is our belief that being ‘set apart’ means being more easily identified as the Lord’s servant and Bishop, ready and willing to further consolidate the spiritual and pastoral needs of God’s people in the Diocese. We also understand that your Lordship is a ‘people person’ and your personality is something we are drawn to with ease.

“Finally, we congratulate you, the newly ordained Bishop Bernard Paul. It is a tribute, confirming the call of God by accepting the Diocese’s high office and tending the flock of God that is in your charge.”

“I  am indeed impressed over the ceremony. I am also  happy to find the simplicity and humbleness of the  man. From the little I know, he seems approachable and  tries to be just.

“I am sure he will be close to the people.” -- Friar Antonio Gonzalez, OP Singapore

“For us, it does not matter who it is beause this is the Church. We came to pray for the new bishop that the Lord will grant him good health as he serves the Diocese of Melaka-Johor. -- Josephine and Thaddeus Bong, Cathedral of St John, KL

“The Mass was indeed touching. The atmosphere was good. Everyone had their eyes on the candidate. It  was something many were looking forward to.

“Bishop Bernard  is  the  right  person. I am sure he will be able to discharge his duties well, having had vast experience in Penang. Indeed, a loss to Penang but a gain to Melaka-Johor.” --Bro Francis Chua, Brothers of St Gabriel

“Now that Bishop Bernard Paul has been elevated as the head of the Melaka-Johore Diocese, we are sure that he will be an exceptional preacher, teacher and communicator and leader of the flock. He is a man who can build on the great legacy left by his predecessors.

“We also believe His Lordship will continue to work at promoting interreligious dialogue and moving steadfastly to bring the country’s various faiths and creeds together, particularly in the states of Melaka and Johore. Our prayers are very much with him and for his new responsibilities.” -- Stanely Fernandez, Church of St Francis Xavier, Melaka

“As the celebration is in Johor Bahru, I volunteered myself to serve.

“My hope for Bishop Bernard is that he would focus on two aspects of the community: the poor and the youth.” -- PD Mary, hospitality minister, Church of the Immaculate Conception, JB

“Firstly, congratulations to the new Bishop Bernard Paul on being ordained as Bishop of the MelakaJohor Diocese. We understand that he has a particular gift of elegantly articulating the beauty of the Catholic faith and its relationship to the challenges and opportunities we face today, in a charitable and compelling manner. We are certain that his leadership will bear much fruit in all aspects: faith life, sacraments and parish community in particular.” -- Lucia Yee, Church of St James, Merlimau

“We came here, first and foremost to give our support to the new Bishop. For many of us, this is the first time that we have attended the ordination of a Bishop and it was a grand ocassion.

“However, many more would have come but because it was a working/schooling day, many could not come.

“We hope that this new bishop will implement some mechanisms to help the community to grow.” -- Mark Lim, Church of St Andrew, Muar

“The whole celebration brought me to tears. Firstly, I felt sad that Bishop Emeritus Paul Tan’s reign was  over and that now we have a new leader. He is definitely going to be different from his  predecessor. He will lead  the people to be God’s people.  -- Seminarian Martinian Lee, Melaka-Johor

“We came to show our suppost for the new bishop who has really helped the Orang Asli. We want to pray, with him and for him. We are very happy that he is now a bishop,” said Wak Long.

“When Bishop Bernard was in our parish, he served everyone the same, just as Jesus did,” explained Yohanes.

They were part of a bus of Orang Asli from the church of St. Mary, Tapah, who came for the ordination.

“Firstly, I congratulate Bishop Bernard Paul from Penang on his  elevation as Bishop of the Melaka-Johore Diocese. We pray he will use his many gifts with generosity and faithfulness for all Catholic parishioners in the states of Johor and Melaka, while serving and leading the flock. We assure him of our prayers for his ministry.” --  Lionel Chee Sin Yuen, Church of St  Theresa, Gajah Berang

“The entire celebration was filled with Catholic ritual and spirituality. It was held in a very conducive  place. Everyone felt joyful and no one complained. The  souvenir book was well compiled and easy  to  follow. It will be a collector’s item.

“Bishop Bernard Paul’s forte is pastoral work. He displayed his pastoral inclinations by the pains he took to  thank everybody who contributed to the proper running  of  the of ordination.” -- Jacob John, Hospitality Minister, Church of the Immaculate Conception

“As for me, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve in the choir. He who sings prays twice, so why not?” -- Paul Lim, Choir, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, JB

“This is the first time that I am able to serve in such a grand occasion. “I would ask Bishop Bernard to place more emphasis on creating a voluntary society — for the community to focus on serving the needs of the poor, the needy, the infirm and the underprivleged.” -- Joseph Chong, Church of the Immaculate Conception, JB

“On behalf of my family and fellow parishioners of Malaysia's oldest servicing Catholic Church, we congratulate Bishop Bernard Paul on his appointment as the new head shepherd of the Melaka-Johore Diocese. We are confident that he will serve with great diligence and leadership. We, at his ordination, are greatly welcomed by all parishioners in the southern diocese. We wish him God's abundant blessings in his new post and offer His Lordship continued prayers and support.” -- Damian Sta Maria, Church of St Peter, Melaka

“Bishop Bernard gave an excellent speech. He was  very down to earth. I see in him a spiritual and holy  man. Melaka-Johor is indeed lucky to have a very pastoral bishop. I see a great piety in this man. -- Lim O. T., Kuala  Lumpur