On Friday February 16, the churches in the Kingdom and the Latin Vicariate in Jordan in particular, thanked the Lord for the services performed by Bishop Jamal Daibes in his capacity as Latin patriarchal vicar since October 2021, following his appointment by Pope Francis as pastor of the Diocese of Djibouti.
In the presence of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, a Holy Mass was celebrated with the participation of acting Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Fr. Jihad Shweihat, Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, a number of Latin Patriarchate priests, heads and representatives of Churches, official figures, nuns, and a large number of believers who came from various parishes to thank Bishop Daibes and bid him farewell.
At the outset of the Holy Mass, Fr. Bashir Bader delivered an address on behalf of the clergy of the Latin Vicariate in Jordan.
After reading a text from the Holy Bible on the Good Shepherd, Bishop Daibes delivered a homily in which he recalled his priestly years and his plans for his 35-year service in parishes. However, he noted that today’s Holy Mass indicates that God was preparing something different, and it is certainly something greater, better, and more beautiful because we “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
He said: “I set out for a new mission in a new country, relying on the Lord’s help and grace, and on the prayers of the believers as well.” He stressed that obedience to the Holy Church and serving the faithful people of God is what must be considered in view of the nomination decision taken by His Holiness Pope Francis. He made a supplication seeking the Lord’s blessing to this mission and to make it fruitful as he placed it under the protection of Saint Joseph, who was acting in accordance with God’s will and plans.
Bishop Daibes thanked the Lord for the relatively short period he spent at the Latin Vicariate in Jordan, stressing that he will remain a son of the Latin Patriarchate which is part of his identity and priesthood. He pointed out that the decision undertaken relevant to his nomination indicates the prestige of the Patriarchate of the Universal Church, and the great appreciation extended to the Patriarchal clerics for their openness to missionary work, whereby following the numerous missionaries in the Sudan, the Gulf, Tunisia, and Algeria, today a new “star of honor” is added to the Patriarchate, namely to serve the Dioceses of Djibouti and Somalia.
At the end of his address, Bishop Daibes thanked Patriarch Pizzaballa, bishops, priests and deacons who accompanied him over the past years, and his brethren in the Churches of the Kingdom. He also thanked religious congregations and all believers for their cooperation and love. His Eminence Bishop Daibes asked the Lord to give a helping hand to Fr. Jihad Shweihat in running the affairs of the Latin Church in the Kingdom. He also thanked Jordan for its hospitality and generosity, under its wise Hashemite leadership, as well for as all officials and all citizens. He said, “I leave a part of my heart in this benevolent country,” he said.
Prior to end of the Holy Mass, Patriarch Pizzaballa delivered an address in which he praised Bishop Daibes’ example of obedience to the decision taken by Pope Francis relevant to his nomination. He said that this indicates his commitment to the Latin Patriarchate throughout his priestly life, and stressed that everything done by God will bear fruit and will continue forever. He addressed Bishop Daibes, saying: “You will depart for Djibouti, but you will remain an integral part of the Latin Patriarchate family, and be aware that our prayers and support will always accompany you.”
