For me, the episcopal ministry has been a very special grace, the opportunity God gives me to be able to serve as a pastor to God’s people. The most difficult thing has been to fight against my egoism, my own sin, my human limitations, my imperfections, but as Saint Paul says, when we are weak, then we are strong (Cf. 2 Cor 2:10).
Bishop Silvio José Báez, o.c.d.
Auxiliary Bishop of Managua
Titular Bishop of Zica
Silvio José Báez, o.c.d. is one of nineteen living bishops who are affiliated with the Discalced Carmelite order; he is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Managua.
Bishop Báez began his Discalced Carmelite formation in the General Delegation of Central America in 1979 and was ordained a priest on 15 January 1985. He pursued advanced studies in Sacred Scripture, biblical geography, and archeology, not only in Rome but also in Jerusalem.
In 1999, Bishop Báez defended his doctoral thesis in biblical theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome on the subject, Tiempo de callar y tiempo de hablar: el silencio en la Biblia Hebrea (A time to keep silence, and a time to speak: Silence in the Hebrew Bible).
Going on to serve as a seminary professor, Bishop Báez authored numerous articles and books, and has been a frequent speaker at conferences and retreats. He also served as a member of the Council of the Discalced Carmelite friars’ General Delegation of Central America.
In 2006 Bishop Báez was appointed Vice-President of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology Teresianum in Rome, where he was a Professor of Sacred Scripture, also teaching Biblical Theology and Spirituality; in addition, he was the editor of the theology journal Teresianum. On 9 April 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Managua and Titular Bishop of Zica.
On 30 May 2009 Silvio José Báez, o.c.d., was consecrated bishop in the Cathedral of Managua. The principal consecrator was Archbishop Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano, Archbishop of Managua; the principal co-consecrators were the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Henryk Józef Nowacki, and Bishop César Bosco Vivas Robelo, Bishop of León en Nicaragua.
You may view Bishop Báez’s episcopal lineage here.
The coat of arms of Bishop Silvio José Báez, o.c.d. reflects his background as a native of Nicaragua — seen in the image of the volcano and the lake on the left — and as a Discalced Carmelite friar, exemplified by the emblem of the Order on the right. At the base of the shield is the scripture with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (Rev. 22:13). The bishop’s motto is, “Por tu Palabra” (By thy Word).Image credit: SajoR / Wikimedia Commons (Some rights reserved)
Featured image: Bishop Báez is seen with pilgrims at World Youth Day in Panama, January 2019. Image credit: Silvio José Báez Facebook page (Used by permission)
https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/05/29/baez-30may2009/
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