The pandemic delayed many events during the past two years. Bishops who were ordained in 2020 and 2021 did not attend New Bishop Orientation in Rome until this September. Bishop Peter Muhich attended the September 1-8 course. He was among the 150 bishops ordained in 2020 who were first in line for the training. Bishops ordained in 2021 had the orientation in the following week’s session.

According to Bishop Muhich, the addresses were given primarily in Italian and simultaneously translated into five other languages. In his group, the bishops came from around the globe, including the United States, Europe, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, South American and Central America. “To meet the other bishops and to get to know their situations was interesting,” he said.

The bishops had a two-hour audience with Pope Francis. “Meeting the Holy Father was very inspiring. We learned what he means by a synodal church — how do we listen or walk together better as a church,” said Bishop Muhich.