The Bishop Writes

(From the Aug. 21, 1997 edition of the Inland Register)

The relationship between the Diocese of Spokane and the Diocese of Sololá in Guatemala now spans almost 40 years. Bishop Topel struck up a relationship with Bishop Mellotto of Sololá during the Second Vatican Council in Rome. They mutually agreed that we as a diocese would establish a mission in the Sololá area. Soon priests and Sisters from the Diocese of Spokane began heading to Guatemala to begin their ministry amongst the Quiché people. Places like Nahualá, El Novillero, Ixtahuacán, and Tzamyujub became names many people in our diocese recognized because of our ministry there.

Late last October, Deacon Chuck Fosmire and I went to Guatemala for an eight-day visit with Bishop Eduardo Fuentes, the bishop of Sololá. After visiting together parishes and projects, we spent a couple of days on the East coast of Guatemala to see a part of Guatemala I had not seen before, and it gave Bishop Fuentes an opportunity to visit old friends. As we returned to Guatemala City in preparation for Chuck’s and my departure, we decided that the bishop would visit us here in the Diocese of Spokane every other year and I would come to Guatemala in the year between his visits here. We felt in this way we could continue and even strengthen our relationship as dioceses.

Little did I realize that as Bishop Fuentes saw us off at the airport, this would be the last time I would see him alive. He seemed to be a picture of perfect health.

Yet, early last Lent, the bishop was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He died on July 20. I don’t know his exact age, but I suspect he was in his mid-50s. Over the years, we had become good friends. I shall miss him, just as I miss the bishops of the Northwest who have died in the past year.

Shortly after I came back to the Spokane Diocese in 1990, Bishop Fuentes and I had a discussion about the nature of our relationship as dioceses. In a way we in the Spokane Diocese had looked upon the ministry in the Nahualá area as the Spokane mission. Obviously strong relationships had been developed through the visits of Bishop Topel and Bishop Welsh and especially through the work of our priests and Sisters there.

The time was ripe for entering a new phase of relationship. We developed a covenant agreement as Sister Dioceses. Our support now is for the bishop and his ministries in the diocese. It’s more of a diocesan family-to-family arrangement which demonstrates ecclesially a more appropriate relationship and respect for their local church.

Much happened under Bishop Fuentes’ leadership. He established a seminary and oversaw a rapid growth in the number of native clergy. A community of contemplative Religious native women was established. There was a tremendous growth in the number of catechists and in formation programs. A powerful diocesan FM radio station in addition to Radio Nahualá (originally set up by the Diocese of Spokane) is on the air. He strongly believed in the ministry of presence so even in the more remote areas people recognized and knew him.

Our relationship here at home with the Diocese of Sololá has continued to grow as well. The Adopt-a-Family program; support of the first-ever school in Tzamyujub; building the road from Ixtahuacán to the coast; building an electrical power plant; publishing the Sacramentary, translated into the Quiché language by Father Baronti; sending down grain silos: These are just some of the works facilitated by our long-standing relationship. We as a diocese have truly been blessed and, I believe, strengthened by this relationship over the years.

Bishop Fuentes, may you have eternal rest and peace. Pray for us.

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