Priests need to reach out to young people growing up in dysfunction and at risk of violence, Archbishop Barry Hickey told Perth’s three newest priests at their ordination on 12 August.
The world had changed dramatically since he was ordained 52 years ago and priests needed to adapt their age-old mission of being Christ in the world to new realities, Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey said at the ordination of three new priests on 12 August.
“It seems to me [times then] were simpler, I don’t know, but the world of today is so full of suffering: dysfunctional families; children growing up not knowing if they are loved of not,” he said.
“Children are being shaken free when they should be given love and find that they get caught up in fights, in violence; in the sins of other people.
“So have a care for the young people as they are growing up and be attentive to their sufferings.”
St Mary’s Cathedral was near full as the family and friends of Mark Payton, Chris Webb and Thomas Zureich, as well as many priests and well-wishers, witnessed their ordination.
The rector of St Charles Seminary, Monsignor Kevin Long vouched for their worthiness before the three pledged to preach the Gospel, to minister the sacraments, and to be obedient.
They lay prostrate as the congregation invoked the prayers of the angels and the saints.
As the candidates knelt before him, the archbishop extended his arms, laying hands on their heads in conferral of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Clergy prayed over them before they were vested with stole and chasuble by their families. The archbishop anointed each man’s palms with the Oil of Chrism, the same oil used at Baptism and Confirmation.
The archbishop knelt at the conclusion of mass, to receive a blessing from each newly ordained priest.
The dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Mgr Michael Keating, said it was great that about 60 priests had turned out to welcome the three men into the fold: “It was marvellous. I think they’re coming to a very good diocese. We wish them well and we wish God’s blessing on them.”