Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, who is being called back to Rome after three years as the Holy See’s ambassador to Canada, urged the Canadian bishops to be “on guard against superficial commentary” that compared one bishop to another, focusing merely on differences of style.

We must learn to listen and reflect on the treasures of Pope Francis’ teaching, he said. Francis is calling us to not be complacent, not to rest on the laurels of the past, but to go out on the streets and byways to announce the Gospel and to accompany those in need.

Lopez Quintana spoke of the image of God’s mercy that played a special role in Francis’ vocation. On the Feast of St. Francis in 1953, he experienced “in a special way the loving mercy of God” and discovered that “God was there before him, waiting for him.”

“It is there as a priest the Pope received a major grace. The Lord is always there before us; He is waiting for us,” the nuncio said.

“Dear brother bishops, please encourage your priests to spend time in the confessional, to be present and available to hear confessions. God is waiting for souls.”

Lopez Quintana recounted what Pope Francis had told nuncios during a gathering in Rome last June on the qualities they should seek in prospective bishops. Francis said to make sure the candidates they put forward are pastors, close to the people. He also emphasized that they should be characterized by a simplicity of lifestyle, avoiding spiritual worldliness.

And as the spouse of one Church, bishops should not be constantly longing for another, Lopez Quintana said.

Pope Francis inaugurated his ministry on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, who provides a “beautiful model for bishops” because just as St. Joseph had the pastorate of the Holy Family, bishops have responsibility for the family of God in a particular church entrusted to his care, he said.

At a dinner Sept. 23 in his honour, CCCB president Archbishop Richard Smith presented the nuncio with an Inuit sculpture of a dancing bear as a gift expressing the gratitude of the Canadian bishops for his service in Canada.