First Nicaraguan-Born Bishop Pedro Bismar Chau Serves Newark's Immigrant Community

Journey from Nicaragua to Newark

• 💡 Bishop Pedro Bismar Chau, the first man born in Nicaragua to become a Catholic bishop in the US, shares his compelling journey of faith.
• 📌 He fled Nicaragua at age 16 in 1983 due to the Civil War, seeking sanctuary and the land of opportunity in the US.
• 🚀 Starting as an undocumented worker, he eventually achieved citizenship and felt a call to the priesthood at age 40.

Ministry and Mission

• 🎯 In early September, he was installed as the first Nicaraguan-born bishop in the United States, an honor he feels deeply as a Latino immigrant.
• 🤝 He will assist Joseph Cardinal Tobin in administering the archdiocese, with a specific focus on Hudson County and supporting immigrants.
• 💬 Bishop Bismar aims to be the voice for the voiceless, assuring them of God's presence and the church's support.
• 🛠️ He emphasizes the church's role in connecting people with necessary resources and ensuring they know they are not alone.

Ordination and Dedication

• 🙏 His elevation to bishop included a humble moment of lying on the ground before the altar, symbolizing a "dying to self".
• ✨ This act represents a profound personal dedication, stating, "Lord, take me that Bismar dies and that you may live."
• 🌍 The narrative highlights his journey from fear in Nicaragua to faith in Newark, embodying a path from hardship to spiritual leadership.