In chapter 10 of his gospel, John, Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

In this year dedicated to consecrated life, three bishops come to my mind who have lived this sentence to its fullness. They are Mgr Adeodato Micallef OCD, the former Bishop of Kuwait; Mgr Sylvester Magro OFM, Bishop of Benghazi in Libya; and Mgr Joe Alessandro OFM Cap, Bishop of Garissa in Kenya.

During the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Bishop Micallef was the only link with the Holy See. He remained steadfast with his flock till the end of the ordeal.

Likewise, Bishop Magro is accompanying his persecuted flock in Libya in very difficult circumstances, as he humbly admitted: “I’m terrified whenever there are bombardments. Whenever we hear those massive explosions, we would say – this is it. But so far we’ve been spared, thanks to God’s mercy”.

The third bishop who deserves admiration and encouragement is my fellow Capuchin brother Mgr Alessandro.

Despite the fact that there has been an increase in insecurity in Garissa because of al-Shabaab terrorist group, Mgr Alessandro boldly remained with his flock while recognising its ardent fidelity to Jesus Christ.

“Thank you for coming, so many of you”, he told his congregation at Easter. Bishop Alessandro invigorated the faith of his brethren by drawing an inspiring parallel of their hardship with that of Jesus Christ. “We join the sufferings of the relatives and the victims with the sufferings of Jesus. The victims will rise again with Christ”.

May the powerful example of these three bishops, themselves members of religious orders, who stay with their flock at the risk of losing their lives, inspire young men and women to join an institute of consecrated life.