DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Diocese of Dumaguete will have three new priests by today when Bishop Julito Cortes administers their ordination to the priesthood.
The deacons, to be ordained at 9 a.m. today at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in this city, are Rev. Carem Olam, of Sta. Catalina town in Negros Oriental; Rev. Primo Taoc of San Juan in Siquijor province; and Rev. Lad Bryan Lawrence Ligutom of Lazi, also in Siquijor.
Taoc completed his theological studies at the St. Augustine Major Seminary while Olam and Ligutom finished theirs at the Seminario Mejor de San Carlos.
Cortes yesterday expressed happiness and gratitude for the ordination of the diocese's new priests that he described as an enormous grace from God.
The diocese needs more priests as well as those who are seriously considering the priestly vocation, said the bishop.
Actually, "these deacons have already been serving at parishes while waiting for their ordination so they can go full swing in their pastoral work as priests in their assignments now," he said.
Many enter the seminary with initial hopes of becoming a priest but, towards the finish line, the number diminishes, Cortes added. (FREEMAN)