Dear Religious sisters of Charity

Brothers and sisters

May the Lord give you peace!

I am very happy to celebrate the Eucharist with you this Sunday. The feeling that I have in my heart is: gratitude. Gratitude to God for the gift of life, of the vocation to religious Franciscan life and priestly life. Gratitude to Pope Francis who had confidence in me and appointed me Bishop. And I was ordained on St. Patrick’s Day, this year.

The bishop mission is it  not easy…. But I am very happy…. I am a happy bishop! And I am happy to be with you this morning to celebrate the Eucharist. “Efkaristò Poli”, is the Greek word for “thank you”, and the root of the Word Eucharist. Yes, the Eucharist is the most beautiful, most complete way to say: “thank you”. Thank you sisters for your welcome, for your “yes” to God and your fidelity… and I ask you to pray for me….

I am the first Catholic bishop on the island of Cyprus after 400 years…. And we are living a new page of the Catholic Church of Cyprus. And there are many challenges: immigration, refugees and a Latin Catholic community that live between an Orthodox majority, and in the north of Cyprus have the occupation with the majority of Muslim brothers.

Yes, brothers and sisters, Cyprus, needs realing, our society needs healing. We needs Jesus…

Indeed, this Sunday’s Gospel takes us to the North of the Holy Land, where today is Lebanon, and where Jesus performed many miracles. We encounter the story of Jesus healing a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Jesus takes the man aside, away from the crowd, and performs a series of actions: He puts His fingers into the man’s ears, spits, and touches the man’s tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighs and says, “Ephphatha,” which means “Be opened.” Immediately, the man’s ears are opened, his tongue is released, and he speaks plainly.

This miracle is not just about physical healing; it is a profound symbol of spiritual healing and openness. Jesus’ command, “Be opened,” is a call to all of us. It is an invitation to open our hearts, minds, and lives to God’s presence and action.

          Brothers and sisters, Let us ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to conversion and renewal, so that we may become true disciples of Christ. In conclusion I want to remember something very important: the words of Jesus: “Ephphatha – Be opened.” May we be open to God’s Word, open to others, and open to the transformative power of God’s love in our lives. Amen.