Five new priests ordained

After the invitation to welcome five newly ordained priests to the Presbyterate a thunderous applause was heard accompanied by shouts of “yay” from a packed to capacity congregation gathered for the event at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, PoS, yesterday.

His Grace, the Arch-bishop Edward Gilbert bestowed blessings upon Rev Wilfred John, Rev Derek Anton, Rev Garth Eversley, Rev Gerard Tang Choon, and Rev Christian Chambers as he asked those gathered to work along with the members of the priesthood. Archbishop Gilbert told the congregation: “When your brother, nephew or best friend tells you ‘I want to be a priest,’ you don’t say ‘are you insane?’ or ‘do you have a headache, sit down let me get you something.’” He said it should be looked upon as a joyous occasion.

Making reference to each of the three bible readings chosen by the newly ordained ministers, Gilbert itemised qualities that those with the responsibility of shepherding should possess. He said that like the prophet Isaiah, they were responsible for teaching and extending loving care to the flock. “Isaiah was called by God, he didn’t refuse it but was overwhelmed by his unworthiness,” he said. He said that they were to take to heart Paul’s words in his letter to Timothy to “be patient with the ministry. Learn how to wait. Let things take root and then develop, and show selflessness. God never promised all your needs will be met in the ministry, that is what pseudo psychology teaches you,” Gilbert told the five. “Surrender yourself to the Lord and move on. That is not easy and that is the formula that has worked for 2000 years. There are many joys and many tough days in the ministry, you have to be strong enough in the Lord. It’s 40 years to 2004 I have been in the priesthood and 30 years in administration and Paul was right on the money. This is not a buffet where you pick one and skip the other.”

Gilbert expressed concern over the lack of “faithful formation and faithful understanding” in the Roman Catholic church when there existed members of his denomination who are professionals in their field and faithfully dedicated to their work. “The church has to take responsibility for that. It is a serious problem and we have to take steps to address it,” Gilbert said.