print

Information reaching the office of the Director of RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY, RECONA indicates that a Newly Ordained Priest in Cape Verde has been Urged vehemently to Live Priest’s Identity as “a man of peace, who fosters communion”

The identity of Catholic Priests is manifest in a life of peace and their fostering of togetherness, Bishop Ildo Augusto dos Santos Lopes Fortes of the Catholic Diocese of Mindelo in Cape Verde has said.

In his homily during the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Ricardo Monteiro, Bishop dos Santos described his ordination as “a great blessing for us, a sign of growth and a sign of hope. It means that there are young people who continue to listen to God’s voice.”

“A Priest is a man of peace, who brings together God’s people and fosters communion,” he said during the Sunday, July 21 Eucharistic celebration that was held at the courtyard of Our Lady of Deliverance Parish of Mindelo Diocese.

The Portuguese-born Catholic Bishop told the Deacon-elect, “Let Christ the Good Shepherd lead you. Good Shepherds are called to let themselves be guided by Christ’s way of being and tenderness, to go where he takes us, to go with him in search of those in need.”

“God accompanies you everywhere. You have many friends and loved ones, but our Lord is a friend like no other; He is the love of your life. With him, you lack nothing,” he emphasized.

The 59-year-old Catholic Bishop, who has been at the helm of Mindelo Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in April 2011 further said, “We are shepherds of God’s people. We are Priests for the Church not for ourselves, our glory, or our image.”

“The Lord calls through love and mercy and not through merit or appreciation,” he further said, and continued, “If these people have no shepherd, we are called to take over the shepherding. But beware that there are shepherds who feed themselves and forget the people.”

“Today you take part in the Eucharist for the first time as a Priest. All the Masses you will celebrate will always be new and unique. They will be celebrated as if they were your last as if you had to celebrate the last Mass of your life,” the Local Ordinary of Mindelo said.

He described the Holy Eucharist as “an extraordinary beauty that God has entrusted to us. It is the Eucharist that builds up the Church; it is the Eucharist that nourishes the Priest.”

During the celebration, the Bishop of Mindelo announced that Fr. Monteiro would serve as Parish Priest of St. Anthony parish of his Episcopal See.

In his remarks at the end of the celebration, the newly ordained Priest spoke of a “long-awaited moment of great joy” and thanked Bishop dos Santos for his trust in him to begin his Priestly ministry at St. Anthony Parish.

“It’s always a challenge because I’m starting a ministry and he confidently appointed me to lead that community, which is a living force,” Fr. Monteiro said. He will be installed as Parish Priest on August 22.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
Latest posts by Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu (see all)