BISHOP OF THE SUBOTICA DIOCESE
Msgr. dr. Pénzes János

pic.1. Msgr. dr. Pénzes János

BIOGRAPHY

He was born in Bajmok on 10th August 1943. He was ordained a priest on 29th jun 1968 in Subotica. He was elected for Bishop of Subotica on 25th April 1989, and ordained and enthroned in Subotica on 18th Jun 1989. he is the vice-president of Bishop's Conference of Serbia and Montenegro and the president of Assembly for liturgy and monasticism from 1998.

JOHN PAUL THE BISHOP
Servant of God's servants

To a dear son, Pénzes János, priest of Diocese of Subotica, so far a dean of a deanery, as same as the manager of parish of saint John in the town of Horgos, and at the same time chosen Bishop of Diocese in Subotica - greetings and apostolic blessing.
We got in touch with many and different services, and made the arrangement with particular Churches and their spiritual fathers, having in mind the most important thing to do, from which depends progress and salvation of souls in greatest part of community.
Hence, in convenient time, seriously and in suitable way, we decided for beloved herd in Subotica, which was recently left by brother Matija Zvekanovic, worth of respect, who led mentioned herd for more than 20 years honorably and wise of mentioning and peace-lovingly.
We decided therefore, to invite You, dear Son, for fulfiling of this assignment, since You have been fulfilling many diocesian services useful and You were eager in saving souls.
You can receive the Bishop ordaining by liturgic laws by any of the Catholic Archpastors.
But, before all You must take the creed and the festive oath to Us and Our inheritors, in the given form; next You should think about delivering those early mentioned forms, as practice is, signed and sealed, as soon as possible to the Congregation for Bishops.
Right after that, when the opportunity is shown, You should announce it to the clerics and believers, who we encourage to symphatise with You and put their work in service, for the benefit of entire community.
Eventually, dear son, we are deeply assured that we have given You the kind of assignment which suits Your possibilities and forces, and that You are going to be able to fulfil given task - worth of praise with the light from above and with the strength of eager prayer.
Given in Rome, at the Grave of Saint Peter on 25th April year of Lord's 1989, eleventh year of our Pontificate.

POPE JOHN PAUL II.
ANGELUS LANZONI
Apostolic protochancellor

pic.2. Arms

EMBLEM DESCRIPTION

The basic colour of the left upper angle is red, in that angle there is an eagle, symbol of John the Evangelist, protector of lord bishop. In the right upper angle, also with red background, there is a scrapping tool, in the memory of occupation of Bishop's father. Lower left angle is coloured green and it has the symbols of two rivers, Danube and Tisa. The shield is divided in the middle with the white cross in four parts. In two angles, on the left side there is a Bishop's mitre, on the right there is a stick, symbol of Bishop's service. Up in the middle we can see the cross which is carried in front of the Bishop in processions. Letter "M", the starting letter of the name of Mary, is made of fish-hooks: fish-hook is the symbol of Bishops hobby. The other explanation of the letter "M": that Bishop was a parish priest in Horgoš for 17 years and the old name for Horgoš is Horgaš (in Hungarian the fish-hook is called horog), and that is why the letter "M" is made of fish-hooks. Motto: "Don't be afraid, it is me!", we find in a part of the Gospel which describes Jesus as he walks on the water towards his disciples.