Service is about being good sheperds, bishops told

Archbishop Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal has called on bishops of Oceania to be good sheperds and serve the people.
“As good shepherds, we must go out, seek and call them to our side and to the way of the Gospel,” he said.
He was speaking during the weeklong annual general meeting of the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Bishops Conference in Port Moresby this month.
He said bishops to be close to the people.
“If we stay close to our people, willing to listen to them and remain in communication with them, they will give us a place in their life,” he said.
Vayalunkal is the Apostolic Nuncio to PNG and Solomon Islands. he thanked the bishops for their dedication, unity and love for the people.
He spoke of the upcoming synod themed ‘Young people, Faith and Vocational Discernment’, and reminded the bishops to listen and engage with young people.
The synod will focus on the following:

•  Young people looking for a sense of self;
•  young people having a sense of belonging and purpose in a rapidly changing society; and,
•  The church falling behind in its understanding and use of technology and needs to fully engage modern society – a fertile place for new evangelisation.
  “Ensure our youth that their
  bishops trust them and let them know that their priests love and appreciate their involvement in the parishes”, he said. The meeting started with a day of prayer and confessions.
  Bishop of Kerema Peter Baquero said: “The best compliment a bishop can receive is when people say that he is a man of God and a man of deep faith.
  “Such a person discovers and recognises God in his daily life.
  “People are more attracted to us because of our gentleness, compassion and forgiving attitude.”
  Quoting Pope Francis, Baquero said that bishop should have the smell of the sheep and the smile of a father.
  “We should be physically, spiritually and actively present to the youth.,” he said.