Posted on 01/13/2020 7:07:13 PM PST by marshmallow
The 37-year-old clergyman was ordained on 3 January. His vocation came when others graduate from seminaries. He has worked with the youth ministry and wishes to continue as a spiritual guide for mature vocations. He also wants to help fellow Christians face societal challenges like land disputes.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Fr Philip Tushar Gomes, 37, is the first priest from Bakshanagar, a village in Dhaka division, since Christianity came to the area 250 years ago.
The new clergyman was ordained on 3 January in the presence of Mgr Shorot Francis Gomes and 500 Catholics.
“God selected me to work for his Kingdom from our village. I am very happy. I will serve aptly,” he told AsiaNews.
“My parents and relatives encouraged me to be a priest,” he explained. “St Anthony of Padua blessed our village, which was waiting for a priest. With me, the expectation has been fulfilled.”
Philip belongs to St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, a parish that has about 300 members. His village has given 14 nuns to the Bangladeshi Church, but never a priest.
“Today is day significant day for us,” said Thomas Rozario, a local community leader. “We are very happy to get a priest from Bakshanagar village. We have waited a long time for a priest and prayed a lot and God heeded our plea in the end.”
Seeing the priestly ordination, youngsters will hopefully be encouraged to envisage a religious life, Rozario noted. “I hope,” he said, “that more children will enter the seminary and training house.”
(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...
This won’t end well.
I give him 3 months. Brave man, soon to join the chorus of martyrdom.
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