Thursday, March 18, 2004
Vidal marks 48 yrs. in priesthood, urges clergy to ‘be a friend to all’
A PRIEST should be a friend and ally to all in these difficult times, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said yesterday.
“We should all be like that, beginning with myself,” he told fellow priests in his short homily during a mass celebrating their 30th year in the priesthood.
Vidal himself marked his 48th year in the priesthood yesterday.
“Whether assigned or appointed, that priest is bound to be a friend to all and he shall be
more faithful than successful,” the cardinal said.
The concelebrated mass for Msgrs. Roberto Alesna and Romualdo Kintanar and Frs. Arturo Bornia, Celso Calvo, Mario Montecillo, Manuel Narciso, Trinidad Silva and Henry Visitacion was held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 5 p.m.
The cardinal said a priest would know if he has been a good ally to his flock if he has many friends from the time he was ordained.
After Vidal’s homily, each of the seven priests renewed their oath of respect and obedience to him and to whoever is his successor.
With threats to peace and order, Vidal said the priests are commanded to characterize their ministry with love, joy and life.
Of 302 archdiocesan priests, 151 of them are in Cebu, making them the largest congregation in the country. AIV
(March 18, 2004 issue)
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