Priestly Ordinations in PGS

By Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB

Vanimo, PNG, 21 October 2017 -- Bishop Cesare Bonivento PIME, Bishop of the Diocese of Vanimo ordained Dn. Solomon Kulo and Dn. Gilbert Pano sdb priests on the 21st October, 2017 at the church of St. Luke, Waromo, Vanimo. The entire parish gathered to thank God for the gift of two sons of the parish now raised to the order of Presbyterate. Fr. Solomon will serve in the Diocese of Vanimo, while Fr. Gilbert belongs to the Salesian Society.

32 priests concelebrated on this special occasion. The Salesian congregation was represented by Fr. Alfred Maravilla sdb, Provincial Superior of the PGS vice-province together with six salesians including two brothers. Religious, sisters and faithful from the Diocese of Vanimo as well as other places were present for the celebrations.

In addressing the newly ordained, Bp Bonivento reminded them of the extraordinary dignity and the incredible responsibility they have as priests. He said, “By the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you are signed with a special character and are conformed to Christ the Priest in such a way that you can act in the person of Christ the Head (PO 2)…. You do the will of Jesus. He is mysteriously in you when you celebrate the Holy Mass and when you forgive sins in confession, you do what what Jesus did”.

The bishop also highlighted the important virtues: purity, poverty and obedience. He said, “Be pure like Jesus, be poor like Jesus and in a special way be obedient like Jesus”. Jesus is acting through the priests with His almighty power, but that they still remain men, full of limitations and defects, surrounded by many temptations. He encouraged them to reach perfection by being constantly united to Jesus, the vine (Jn 15,7). He cautioned them against walking outside the guardrail and acting independently of their Bishop and Superior. He concluded entrusting them to the Mother of all priests, Mary Help of Christians to accompany them in their priestly ministry.

Fr. Miguel de la Calle IVE, Parish priest of Holy Trinity parish, Baro, Vanimo together with the community of the Church of St. Luke, Waromo prepared well for the celebrations. Despite the heat, the large congregation of 2000+ person prayed fervently right throughout the three-hour ordination service.

Colourful dances by the Waramo women; St. Joseph’s Musur; St. Theresa’s, Lido and Holy Cross parish were part of the celebration. The harmonious voices of the Waramo music ministry, Holy Trinity parish choir and the St. Michael’s Wutung filled the church at the celebration. The Litany of Saints was sung by the St Charles and St John Mary Vianney Seminary Choir.

The two new priests were presented with a Papal Blessing. The Waramo Catholic Community then presented them with a mass kit. The celebrations were coordinated by Stephen Gee, Councillor; Julius Pengo, Church chairman and Allan Danti, Organizing committee chairman together with the members of the community.

A ‘bung kaikai’ that followed the Ordination service was a contribution of all the parishes of the Diocese of Vanimo. Entertainment and dancing then followed. The next day, each of the newly ordained celebrated their first masses.

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