Being in the borderland is a wonderful thing. There's so much opportunity for ministries here.

The priorities of pastoral work will always be different in one place or another, but recognising the great richness of the diversity of the People of God is tremendously helpful because it makes us more sensitive to reaching out and responding better to what is expected of us.

We are always open to new ideas. The incredible diversity from around the world, and that constant infusion of new ideas, cultures and perspectives, is what really makes our region so dynamic and exciting.

The priestly guilds were highly mobile, with the result that cultic practices crossed ethnic lines over wide areas.

Where the bond with the diocese is strongest there is a great flourishing of religious life.

We remain very grateful for the historic communities who have served us so well in the Diocese over many years, and yet we are also grateful for the new life that the newer communities – like Sister Adorers – bring to our future life in God.

The hope is there thanks to our communities, where faith is so alive that we can see a future through their open attitude to life, to God and the Church.

I have a Vicariate as large as all France, and three churches and two priests.

I am parochially minded; but my parish is a big one, taking in all civilized Europe and America.

During the administration of Bishop O'Connor the western part of the diocese increased rapidly in population, and, that religion might keep pace with the material progress of the country, many churches and schools were built.

I can contribute, be valuable and grow in many ways, since my interests are so varied. That is very satisfying.

In my new, delicate role, I would be an instrument in building bridges with China. I am very excited at the beginning of this mandate, and I also feel the responsibility of a post that covers a vast field: taking care of the pastoral life of more than 1,000 church districts. I hope that the Church's evangelizing and the missionary work of this Congregation may take on a new momentum, especially in countries with ancient traditions and cultures, such as China and India.

Great disorders lead to great conversions. Providence would have its opportunity.

From the pastoral point of view, the parish community plays a particular role and I think it should be clearly indicated as being the privileged place, where the Word of God proclaimed to the faithful, meditated on and confronted with the thousands of situations of daily life, initiates the ecclesial community.