By Darlene J.M. Dela Cruz
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, smiles as he speaks during a news conference Sept. 9 at the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the U.N. in New York City. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations is scheduled to give the keynote speech at the upcoming annual diocesan Red Mass, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
Archbishop Bernardito Auza in his talk will discuss how the Holy Spirit is leading the church and inspiring the world’s people, especially those in leadership positions, toward greater stewardship of resources and greater service of the poor.
The Red Mass is the diocese’s yearly public prayer seeking wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit for Hawaii’s public servants. It is celebrated the day before the opening of the Hawaii State Legislature.
More than 1,000 invitations have gone out to Island officials in the state executive, legislative and judicial branches, and to city and county officials, religious leaders and military officers.
Bishop Larry Silva will be the main celebrant for the Red Mass.
Guest speaker Archbishop Auza was born in the Philippines and studied in Manila and Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1985 in Pittsburg, California, and a bishop at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in 2008.
He worked in various international diplomatic missions for the Holy See before being appointed in 2008 as papal nuncio to Haiti.
Archbishop Auza was named Permanent Observer of the Holy See, or “papal ambassador,” to the United Nations in 2014, and since last July has been serving concurrently as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States.
He represents Pope Francis in following the work of the U.N. and sharing with the international body Catholic teachings on peace, justice, human dignity and humanitarian cooperation and assistance.
The archbishop’s talk for the Red Mass in Honolulu is titled “Toward Greater Stewardship of Our Common Home.”
“Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, making a new start, redirecting their steps towards a healthier planet and a fairer world,” he said in a summary of his speech.
The Red Mass has been a tradition in Hawaii since 1955. The special liturgy was introduced in the United States from Europe early last century and has become an annual event in Washington, D.C., and other major mainland cities.
The Mass is named for the color of the vestments used for a Mass of the Holy Spirit.