On
Jan. 24, 2004, the two men, who have now served together
for two years as diocesan bishop and assistant bishop
of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, celebrated their
twentieth anniversary in the episcopacy with a festive
service at Trinity Cathedral, Miami.
Singing
the opening hymn--(l-r) Bishop Emilio Hernandez, Bishop
Onell Soto, Archdeacon Paul Rasmus, Bishop James Ottley,
Bishop Leo Frade, Archdeacon Bryan Hobbs, Bishop David
Alvarz, Bishop Calvin O. Schofield, Jr.
After
a procession that included four bishops and about 50
clergy of the diocese entered the cathedral, interim
Dean Robert Libby reminded the congregation of the historic
ministry of the episcopate and asked, “Will you join
in this celebration and renew and continue your support
of our bishops in their apostolic ministry?”
As
the congregation responded with an enthusiastic, “We
will!”, Bishops Frade and Ottley processed into the
cathedral.
Members
of the two bishops’ families took an active role in
the service. The lectors were Erika Frade, Bishop Frade’s
daughter, and Carlos Ottley, Bishop Ottley’s son. Bearers
of the oblations were Frade’s sister, Yolanda Pina,
and Ottley’s daughter-in-law, Tatiana Ottley. The litanist
was Frade’s wife, Diana. Bishop Ottley’s wife, Lillian,
was unable to attend the service due to family responsibilities
following the death of her father in Puerto Rico a
week earlier.
Erika
Frade and Carlos Ottley read the lessons.
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Diana
Frade leads the litany |
Yolanda
Pina and Tatiana Ottley were oblation bearers. |
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The
preacher was the Rt. Rev. David Alvarez, bishop
of Puerto Rico, a longtime friend of both bishops.
Speaking
about the office of bishop, Alvarez said, “This
is not a human or a purely professional task…it
is to be done by the grace of God in Christ…”
A
bishop, he said, has the authority of the apostles
and is the chief director of the liturgical life
of the diocese and the chief shepherd to clergy
and people, as well as the administrator of the
diocese—even if he delegates some portions of
these duties.
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The
relationships of bishop, clergy and laity reflect the
Trinity, he added, and “the energy of the love of God
in Christ”.
A
bishop leads, Alvarez said, through the example of “a
God-ward life”.
Before
the offertory, Frade and Ottley knelt at the altar
for a prayer of rededication to their ministry as bishops,
and then were greeted with applause from the congregation
as they thanked the people for their presence and support.
Six
bishops concelebrated the Eucharist: Frade, Ottley,
Alvarz, retired Diocesan Bishop Calvin O. Schofield,
Jr., retired Bishop of Venezuela Onell Soto and retired
Bishop of Cuba Emilio Hernandez.
Left
to right are Bishop Hernandez, Bishop Soto, Bishop
Ottley, Bishop Frade, Bishop Schofield and Bishop Alvarez.
Music
during communion featured lively piano accompaniment
by Fr. Bernard Griffith, rector of Christ Church, Coconut
Grove (Miami), and Fr. Frantz Casseus, rector of Eglise
du Bon Pasteur, Miami.
Fr.
Bernard Griffith leads the singing as Fr. Frantz Casseus
accompanies on the piano.
Following
the service, the celebration continued with a reception
on the cathedral patio and in the garden.
Bishops
Frade and Ottley give their blessing to the congregation
at the end of the service.
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