The American Augustinian, who was appointed head of the Dicastery of Bishops in January, comments on the Pope’s announcement yesterday about the new consistory: “It was a surprise, I listened to his speech and first heard my name.” On September 30, the Day the synod begins: “I see this appointment as part of the synodal spirit that the whole Church wants to live.”
Tiziana Campisi – Vatican City
His motto will be that of the bishop already elected: “In Illo uno unum”, words uttered by St. Augustine in a homily, exposition to Psalm 127, to declare: “Though we Christians are many, we are in to the one Christ one.” “. Monsignor Robert PrevostPrefect of the Augustinian Dicastery of Bishops, among the 21 cardinals Francis will appoint in the September 30 consistory announced yesterday at the Angelus prayer, wishes to continue to make himself his own to promote communion and unity in the Church.
Monsignor Prevost does not hide the astonishment he felt yesterday when he heard the Pope list the names of the new cardinals to Vatican News – Vatican Radio. As an American, he will be 68 years old when he wears the cardinal’s hat. As part of his pastoral missions in Peru, he has held various positions in the Order of Saint Augustine, of which he was Prior General from 2001 to 2013, and in the nomination of Bishop of Chiclayo. On January 30 of this year, Francis appointed him head of the Dicastery of Bishops, where he took office on April 12. About three months into his new assignment, it came as a surprise to have been elected a member of the College of Cardinals.
Listen to the interview with Monsignor Robert Prevost
How did you hear the news of the Consistory in which Pope Francis proclaimed him a cardinal?
It was really a surprise. I’ve only been back in Rome for three months and I never thought that the Pope would make this announcement at the Angelus prayer yesterday in July. I listened to his speech and then heard my name, which was first on the list. I immediately thought that we must pray, thank the Pope for this trust and then hope – but we have been since he appointed me Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops – to be able to respond to his trust in me.
What was he thinking in those moments?
I was surprised… I was definitely happy about the recognition of the mission entrusted to me – which is a very beautiful thing – and at the same time I thought with awe and holy fear: I hope that I can answer something The Pope, the he asks me It is a great responsibility, like when he called me to Rome as prefect. In this case the emotions were already strong as I had to leave behind everything I have lived and done in Peru. It’s a whole different level now, but I see it as a continuation of a mission that the Pope decided to entrust to me.
With what feelings are you now preparing for the consistory on September 30?
I’m in full swing so I haven’t thought much about it! Yesterday I heard from my two brothers that they both want to come and it will be very nice to share this moment with their loved ones too. I haven’t thought about how to prepare yet. September 30th is also the day that the synod begins and I see this nomination as part of the synodal spirit that the whole Church wants to live.
You are Augustinian. How does Augustinian spirituality shape your ministry?
We could say several things… As reflected in my episcopal motto, unity and communion are part of the charism of the Augustinian Order and also of my way of acting and thinking. I think it is very important to promote communion in the Church and we know very well that communion, participation and mission are the three keywords of the Synod. As an Augustinian, therefore, fostering unity and fellowship is of paramount importance to me. So St. Augustine speaks a lot about unity in the Church and the need to live it, about the fact that by listening to the Bishop of Rome and being part of the Church of Rome there is a certain guarantee of unity. In this sense, too, I understand the new vocation of the Pope as a way to experience my unity, participation in the Church, in obedience to the Holy Father. That too is very Augustinian.
How much does the figure of Augustine inspire your choices, your steps, your service in the Church?
St. Augustine is certainly a great figure not only for the Order but for all. And I wish I had more time to study and read. It has so much to offer the Church, including the Church today. What is important then is what I said before: unity in the Church and fidelity to the Bishop of Rome, always striving to promote communion. The living unity in the church recommended by Augustine means living unity in Christ.