Union with the local Ordinary

This union we have with the Roman Pontiff will make us (both now and in the future) feel very united to the local Ordinary in each diocese. I usually say, and it is quite true, that we pull, and always will pull, the cart in the same direction as the Bishop. If at some point a bishop did not see it that way and said that he saw incompatibilities, that in fact cannot exist, I would greatly regret it. Still, as long as it did not compromise what is essential, I would give in. And you too ought to give in, without making difficulties. The reason is that we are motivated in our self-giving only by the desire to give God all the glory, serving the Church and all souls, without seeking any glory for the Work or any personal benefit.

You know that, foreseeing these possible difficulties (although they seem unlikely to me), we pray each day pro unitate apostolatus. We do so in order to obtain from our Lord, right from the Work’s beginning, an internal and external union with the local Ordinary and with all the souls who are engaged in any kind of apostolic work. This is a unity that is conferred on the whole Church only by the Pope and on the diocese only by the bishop in communion with the Holy See.