SO I LEAVE MY BOATS BEHIND BISHOP STEVE LOWE
On December 18 2021 Pope Francis appointed Bishop Steve Lowe as Bishop of Auckland.
engage in the various relationships of life. Sometimes we get things right, and sometimes we get things wrong in this age where the expectation is that we always do the right thing and everyone has to agree with what we think. At the same time a weakness of mine is to allow fear and resentment to take root in my heart and thinking and this impacts on my ability to speak, act and love as Christ calls me to speak, act and love. So if along the way over these past seven years I have hurt or harmed you, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do, whether intentionally or unintentionally, please accept my sincere apology. It is never my intention to hurt or harm any one of you and so I humbly ask for your forgiveness.
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even years ago, on the 13th of February 2015, I processed into the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a priest and processed out as a bishop, your bishop. Over the last seven years you, the people of the Diocese of Hamilton, the laity, religious and priests, have helped shape and form me as a bishop as I tried my best to respond to the Lord’s call to me in the various encounters, moments and challenges of the seven years. 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. Often when confronted with various people or situations I have struggled with what is the right thing to say or do. I’m no different to anyone else as we all try to
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At the same time there have been so many encounters and moments that have made my heart soar and I thank you for these. I have 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. I have loved praying with and for you and working together with you in the Lord’s vineyard. Through you I have learnt so much more of the wonder and wonders of our God of love. When I was appointed the Bishop of Hamilton I chose for my motto, Ko te Ariki tōku Hēpara - the Lord is my Shepherd, for the Lord is the one who has shepherded me throughout my life. At my ordination as your bishop I chose the same Gospel I had at my priestly ordination at Hokitika in 1996 where Jesus asks Peter three times, do you love me?, and where Jesus three times instructs Peter to feed and look after
Where it all began - Bishop Steve being consecrated as the Bishop of Hamilton by Emeritus Bishop Denis Browne, 2015.
