Suicide, drug abuse and false directions in society are among the issues confronting newly ordained priests in Australia today, Archbishop Barry Hickey warned during his homily at the ordination of three new priests for the Perth archdiocese.
“You were ordained for today, for today’s times and conditions,” said the archbishop in a speech touching on topical social and economic issues confronting modern society.
Among the challenges the new priests would face, the archbishop nominated an increasing drug culture among young people and a high suicide rate.
Deacons Antonio Scala, Marcelo Parra Gonzalez and Wilson Donizetti Martins were ordained to the priesthood after studying at the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary in Morley for the past several years.
All three are part of the Neocatechumenal Way movement, under whose auspices Redemptoris Mater is administered. At the ordination ceremony in St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday 18 November, traditional hymns and prayers accompanied by organ were interspersed with the distinctive Spanish music of the Way. The congregation, many of whom were members of the Way, almost lifted the roof off the cathedral with their singing.
Artist Kiko Argüello founded the Neocatechumenal Way in the slums of Madrid in 1963; the Way dedicates itself to providing a post-baptismal itinerary of adult Christian faith. The organisation was officially approved by the Holy See in 2008. Described as one of the more charismatic formations in the Catholic Church, it is estimated to have more than a million followers worldwide.
New priest Fr Wilson Martins celebrated his 28th birthday the day after his ordination. He said he first heard the call from God to become a priest when he was 18. Born in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, he said he could see the need for priests in his own neighbourhood as he grew up. He had also experienced how the Church came to, and helped himself and his family through the Neocatechumenal Way.
Fr Martins, who will now serve the parishes of Star of the Sea in Cottesloe and Corpus Christi in Mosman Park, said he had no plans of his own for his priesthood; rather he was open to whatever there was a need for and would remain free to go anywhere his archbishop wishes.
Italian-born Fr Antonio Scala will serve St Gerard Majella Parish in Mirrabooka while Chilean-born Fr Marcelo Gonzalez will serve in Good Shepherd in Kelmscott.
Their ordination follows six months of service in their parishes as deacons. The trio were ordained to the diaconate in May this year, also at St Mary’s Cathedral.
With the three new additions to his diocese, Archbishop Hickey has ordained 94 priests since his appointment in 1991.
Priests of the Neocatechumenal Way ordained in Perth usually serve for two years in the archdiocese under a gentleman’s agreement between the Archbishop and the Way. Perth priests of the Way may be released after this period for missionary work anywhere in the world.