Archbishop Adam Szal has become the new metropolitan bishop of Przemyśl. On Saturday, his ingress was held at the Archcathedral Basilica in Przemyśl. Archbishop Szal succeeded Archbishop Jozef Michalik, who retired after 23 years of leading the archdiocese.

The Ingres began with a procession from the Church of the Franciscan Fathers to the Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in Przemyśl. Led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the procession was attended by the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Przemysl Archbishop Adam Szal, Senior Archbishop Jozef Michalik and the hierarchs of the Church with the Primate of Poland Archbishop Wojciech Polak at the head and the priests.

In the archcathedral, Archbishop Szal was welcomed by a parish priest who handed him a crucifix to be kissed and then a sprinkler dipped in consecrated water with which he blessed the faithful.

After the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland announced the bull of Pope Francis appointing Archbishop Adam Szal as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Przemyśl and handing him the pastoral crosier - the symbol of pastoral authority - representatives of the clergy and the faithful paid homage to the new archbishop, an act of reverence, respect and Christian obedience.

In his homily to the faithful, Archbishop Szal said that he humbly accepts the role of shepherd assigned to him by Pope Francis. He noted that the event takes place in the Year of Mercy and on the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland, when the entire nation "has been following Christ the Good Shepherd for over a thousand years."

He said that as he walked to the Archcathedral, he passed through three jubilee gates where he prayed for various gifts and graces needed for his ministry.

- At the first gate, in the Church of the Franciscans, I prayed that, following the example of my great predecessors in this ministry in the Church of Przemyśl, I would have the courage to go at the head of the sheep. At the second gate, the Greek Catholic Archcathedral, I prayed for the gift of tenderness, so that I could be in the midst of the sheepfold, giving it the loveheart. And finally, the third gate, especially important for me - as it must have been for each of my predecessors - inspired me to pray for the spirit of humility, so that I could walk at the end of the fold, that is, be together with those who suffer in body and spirit, with those who struggle with the temptation to rebel and leave the fold - said the new Metropolitan of Przemyśl in his homily.

Addressing the priests, he said that with their help he would like to extend the evangelization especially to families, which "should be the first school of Christian life,children and youth, as well as provide pastoral care to the poor, unemployed, and disabled, bringing them spiritual and material assistance.

He stressed that an important task facing the archdiocese is to seek new forms of evangelization that will attract to the Church people who are indifferent or even reluctant to faith. - May we all understand that following the example of Christ we are to be shepherds and the gate through which our faithful will enter salvation - said Archbishop Szal.

text: dziennik.pl

photo: Jan Jarosz

The Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński was present at the ingress. - It is for me - as the Speaker of the Sejm, but most of all as a resident of Przemysl - an honor to be able to participate in this unique ceremony here in the Archcathedral of St. John the Baptist - said Marek Kuchciński. He also expressed his conviction that the ingress is a reason of great pride and joy for the whole community of Przemysl because Bishop Adam Szal is connected with the land of Przemysl since his birth. - Many believers know Archbishop personally from years of school and pastoral work, but above all from numerous pilgrimages to Marian Sanctuaries, during which - as pilgrims often recall - Your Excellency raised hope in the hearts of those who needed help, and with a good and kind word he always supported those who were lost. I appreciate, together with other faithful, your deep commitment and great contribution to charitable and educational work. In his work with the underprivileged and young people looking for authorities and life signposts - added the Marshal. Marek Kuchciński wished the new metropolitan a lot of strength necessary to fulfill difficult and responsible service, persistence in undertaking new tasks and daily duties, so that his work would always be accompanied by the goodwill and gratitude of the faithful, as well as good health, prosperity and successful execution of all plans.