Bishop Lowe truly loved being Hamilton’s bishop

By NZ CATHOLIC staff 

Bishop Stephen Lowe has told the laity, religious and priests of Hamilton diocese that they have helped shape and form him as a bishop. 

In a February 13 pastoral letter titled “So I leave my boats behind”, written to his brothers and sisters in the Lord in Hamilton diocese, Bishop Lowe stated that, during his seven years as bishop there, “there have been so many encounters and moments that have made my heart soar”, and he expressed his thanks for that. 

Bishop Lowe, who is now apostolic administrator of Hamilton diocese, as well as Bishop of Auckland, wrote that he had “truly loved being your bishop. I have loved you, the clergy, religious and people of the Diocese of Hamilton. Thank you for the blessing you have been to me, and for all the encouragement, challenge, support and joy you have been”. 

“Through you, I have learnt so much more of the wonder and wonders of our God of love,” he added. 

In the letter, Bishop Lowe noted that “there is no such thing as a perfect bishop as there is no such thing as a perfect person”. 

“I have tried my best within the limits of my gifts, limitations, foibles, faults and personal sinfulness,” he said. 

Bishop Lowe offered his sincere apology for any hurts or other impacts that happened as a result of his shortcomings. Such hurts and impacts were not intentional, he said. 

He reminded people of the diocese that they might still see him occasionally in his role as apostolic administrator until a new bishop is appointed for the diocese. 

“Please pray for the process that will lead to the appointment of a new Bishop of Hamilton,” he wrote.  

At the end of the letter, Bishop Lowe asked people for prayers, and promised his prayers for the people of the diocese. He wrote that, as he moved, he would “hold the Hamilton diocese within my heart, grateful for the blessings I have received with and from you”.