April 21, 2024
Fr. Octavi Vilà, the abbot emeritus of the Monastery of Santa Maria of Poblet (Catalonia, Spain), was ordained bishop of Girona after a moving ceremony in the Cathedral of Santa Maria last Sunday, April 21. In his first speech as bishop, the new prelate expressed his commitment to serving Christ, the Church and all citizens of the diocese. He invited the faithful to live their faith with conviction, firmness, enthusiasm and hope, without ever being ashamed of the Gospel and maintaining authenticity and fidelity. He underlined the importance of walking together with joy and of recovering the synodal essence of the Church, which must be the great home of all. During the ceremony, Vilà asked those present to never fear having hope and not to be ashamed of their faith, but to live it fully and joyfully, without falling into the pride of excluding others.