On Sunday June 13, 2021, the episcopal ordination of our confrere, Friar François BUSTILLO, was celebrated in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Ajaccio, Corsica (France).
The Most Reverend Jean-Marc AVELINE, Metropolitan Archbishop of Marseille was the main consecrant with the Most Reverend Olivier DE GERMAY, Archbishop of Lyon, and the Most Reverend Nicolas Jean René BROUWET, Bishop of Tarbes–Lourdes, serving as conconsecrants. Others present included the Most Reverend Celestino MIGLIORE, Apostolic Nuncio to France along with our confrere, Friar Dominique MATHIEU, Archbishop of Teheran-Ispahan, Iran. The Vicar General of the Order, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI was present on behalf of the Order and read the message of the Minister General. Other friars present included the Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium, and confreres from Narbonne (France), Spain, Padua (Italy) and the Vatican College of Penitentiaries.
Due to health restrictions, the number of faithful in the cathedral was restricted. As a result, any of the faithful who wanted to participate in the celebration were able to view a large screen that had been set up in the square facing the cathedral. At the beginning of the Mass, the Vicar General of the diocese addressed the new bishop and presented him with the history of the Church he is called to lead. Sister Elisabeth ROBERT presented Bishop BUSTILLO to the faithful, and a representative of the civil authorities handed the new bishop the key to the cathedral. The Papal Bull was read next and when the reading concluded, the “Glory to God in the highest” resounded.
The liturgy was admirably accompanied by a choir that performed moving songs in the Corsican language. At the end of the ceremony, the newly ordained bishop spoke and thanked everyone present. He spoke Spanish to thank his mother, his brothers and his whole family who were present at the celebration. Switching to Italian, he thanked all the friars. He spoke his closing words in Corsican and they were very enthusiastically received.
The Franciscan witness is very lively in Corsica. Indeed, the proclamation of the Gospel by the followers of St. Francis of Assisi has pervaded the life and culture of the island. Thus, the faithful have the highest hopes for this new Conventual Franciscan bishop.
May St. Francis support our brother in his service to the Church in Corsica and France.
Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, Vicar General
