Bishop Cortes ordains 3 priests, 4 deacons

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete on Tuesday ordained three new priests and four new deacons in a concelebrated Mass at the jam-packed Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in this capital city of Negros Oriental.

The new priests are Fathers Mart Salac of San Juan town in Siquijor; Conrad Lagarde (Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental), and Gonzalo Omison II (Basay, Negros Oriental).

Also ordained deacons are Reverends Kevin Rayoso, Isidro Hisugan, Leonardo Tuscano, and Jhon Bomediano.

Cortes, in his homily, urged the newly ordained priests and deacons to “serve God faithfully in their chosen vocation otherwise if they have other intentions of joining the priesthood, then they might as well leave this early.”

“It is very important for the priest now to realize who they are and that their identity is hinged on Christ,” said the prelate. “We do that by being faithful, especially in our prayers. So, without the relationship with Christ then we have nothing to give.”

Another important factor that the bishop stressed was the support and prayers of the people of God to the priests because, when they have these, they are inspired to serve. “This dynamic of give and take, of support, makes us alive in the church.”

Cortes describes the ordination as “God’s generosity” to the diocese, considering that in the past three years, five of its priests died for various reasons. But God is generous, with the ordination coinciding Valentine’s Day, the day of hearts and of love.

Happy with having new priests in the diocese, Cortes said they can strengthen the ministries in the different parishes and chaplaincies.

He also explained his principle, which he learned from Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, to give the new priests “beautiful experiences” during the first two years of their assignment after ordination.

The first two must not be traumatic, according to Cardinal Vidal, said Cortes. “That is what I am doing now and I already have an assignment for them (new priests, deacons) although I still have to inform them about this,” the Dumaguete bishop said.

As for the new deacons, they will have to be trained for at least six months before they can be ordained as priests, he added.

Meanwhile, Cortes confirmed the appointment of Father Edgardo Mariño as the new parish priest of Siaton, taking over the post Father Casiano Salac Jr., who died last December 25.

Mariño once served for 11 years as parish priest of Ayungon where he built a new church, which was recently completed, after the devastating earthquake that toppled the old church in February 2012. (FREEMAN)