Diocese of New Jersey | The Rt. Rev. Sylvestre D. Romero

After a stormy Saturday morning, the weather cleared up for the Festive Evensong that formally welcomed The Rt. Rev. Sylvestre Romero as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of New Jersey. The afternoon sun shining through the stained glass windows covered the salmon-colored walls of Trinity Cathedral's sanctuary with jewelled lights. What a beautiful backdrop for the welcoming celebration of such a humble and godly man.

The sermon was given by The Rev. Silvestre Romero, Jr., rector of St. Philip, Deacon and Evangelist in San Jose, CA. Parts of the sermon were extremely poignant as Romero, Jr. spoke about his father. The readings for the service (Colossians 3:1-17 and Matthew 4:18-25) actually provided directions in following mission and what we are called to do. Romero, Jr. took this as his theme, discussing the guides and mentors he had throughout his life. He spoke of his paternal grandmother, who had lived close to a fishing village. She was committed to helping others by teaching trades so they could become self-sufficient. In the process, she shared her faith with those she encountered.

Romero, Jr. also learned some practical lessons from his grandmother about fishing. In order to have a good catch, you needed a good net. How is this important to evangelism? A great deal of time is spent mending nets, just a people spend time developing their relationship with Christ. Paul tells us to focus on God's kingdom, or to strengthen our nets. Now, what strengthens our nets? Compassion, humility, kindness and patience.

Mrs. Eva Romero, The Rt. Rev. Sylvestre Romero, The Rev. Sylvestre Romero, Jr.
(Photo courtesy Dot Cellini)

When we worship together, we are taking the time to mend our nets. At that moment, we are bound in harmony and peace so that we can respond to our primary task - being fishers of people. Fishing for people takes labor and prayer. As followers of Jesus, we are longing for the nearness of the Kingdom. We embrace the Healer that gives us strength to follow Jesus.

Those guides in Romero, Jr.'s life, such as his father and grandmother, were always ready to teach and share. They sought to bring the people they encountered into the net, the Kingdom of God, to bring them into forgiveness and repentence, then send them out to go and do likewise.

(Photo courtesy Dot Cellini)

At this moment in his sermon, Romero, Jr. lost his composure, and a profound moment of grace occurred when father joined son in an embrace. The sermon concluded with Romero, Jr. remarking on the foundation of his life which he learned from his father: God loves unconditionally, and apart from God, we can do nothing worthwhile.

It seems that this is also the foundation of Bishop Romero's life and work, and the Diocese of New Jersey is truly blessed to have him walking beside us as our Assistant Bishop.

By Deborah Crall

(Photo courtesy Dot Cellini)

El Reverendísimo Sylvestre Romero nació y creció en Belice hasta los 18 anos. Luego fue a vivir en Guatemala donde se hizo miembro de la Iglesia Episcopal, aprendió español, se casó con Eva, una guatemalteca, y fue ordenado sacerdote en 1974. Después de trabajar 13 anos en Guatemala, fue trasladado a California donde siguió sus estudios teológicos en Berkeley.

Trabajo 7 años en la Diócesis de El Camino Real (California) como misionero hispano y luego fue elegido obispo de Belice. Después de once anos de servicio como obispo, renunció su puesto para ser obispo interino de la Diócesis de El Camino Real. Durante tres años ayudó a la diócesis de prepararse para la elección de un nuevo obispo.

Desde Octubre de 2007 está como obispo asistente en la diócesis de New Jersey. Su responsabilidad es con el Ministerio Hispano, Presidente del Comité de Misiones (un total de 45 misiones en la diócesis). Además ayuda al obispo George Councell en las visitas pastorales cada domingo.

El obispo Romero es casado con Eva y tienen cuatro hijos (Evelyn, Silvestre, Suzzette y Erick) y tres nietos (Jonathan, Christopher y Delanie). Tres hijos y los nietos viven en California y el hijo menor vive en Belice.

(Photo courtesy Dot Cellini)

Born on December 31, 1944 in Belize, Bishop Romero grew up as a Roman Catholic. He was received into the Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America, a province of the Anglican Communion, after moving to Guatemala at the age of eighteen. In the years to come he married Evangelina, and his family today includes four children, including Sylvestre, Jr., who spoke at his installation, and three grandchildren. He received a bachelor's degree in Theology and master of divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacifiic in Berkeley, California. He was appointed Hispanic Missioner for the Diocese of El Camino Real, then served in the Diocese of Los Angeles. He became the Bishop of Belize in 1994 before being appointed the Assisting Bishop for the Diocese of El Camino Real in 2004.

Bishop Romero shares a full schedule of visitations, confirmations, receptions and reaffirmations with Bishop Councell. He performs ordinations and institutions, and serves the pastoral needs of diocesan clergy and their families. Together, he and Bishop Councell are expanding the mission of the diocese, with Bishop Romero acting as Chair of the Board of Missions and serving the needs of the Hispanic population in the diocese.