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The Parish. The Nation. The World.
Thursday December ,
Western Australia’s Award-winning Catholic newspaper
Perth, Western Australia ● $1
The Gift Archbishop ordains 9 new shepherds for people of God New faces represent a global, catholic Church as congregation packs Perth’s Cathedral to standing-room only ■ By Jamie O’Brien
A
ll eyes were on St Mary’s Cathedral last Friday night as Archbishop Barry Hickey ordained nine men to the priesthood in an historic ceremony. Archbishop Hickey said the ordination was a record: the largest number for a single ordination ceremony in the cathedral ever. The previous record was in 2002 when eight priests were ordained, again by the Archbishop, in one ceremony.
Standing ready: The deacons present themselves formally for ordination. Photo: Jamie O’Brien
Eight of those who joined the ranks of the priesthood on Friday night, Clayton Mitchell, Joseph Lee, Andrew Bowron, Gavin Gomez, Nicholas Nweke, Nelson Po, Andrew Albis and Kenneth Asaba, were ordained for the archdiocese of Perth. The ninth, William Matthews, was ordained for the Salesian order. It was not just an historic occasion but an international one too – the faces of the nine men ordained on Friday seemed to come from every corner of the globe – Africa, Asia and Australia, reflecting the reality of a Church that really is catholic. Fr Clayton Mitchell’s family came to Australia from Burma while Fr Matthews Continued on Vista 1 A ceremony in photos, priests by the numbers -Vista 2,3
Where are they going? The newly ordained priests will go to various parishes of the diocese. Fathers Joseph Lee and Andrew Albis have been assigned to St Mary’s Cathedral. Fr Andrew Bowron has been assigned to Northam. Fr Gavin Gomez has been assigned to Claremont. Fr Nicholas Nweke has been assigned to Willetton. Fr Kenneth Asaba has been assigned to Wanneroo. Fr Nelson Po has been assigned to Kalgoorlie. Fr Clayton Mitchell has been assigned to Bateman. Fr William Matthews SDB, will be stationed in Victoria. Page 2 - A raft of clergy appointments
Faces of the world: The nine new priests, here shown outside St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth before their ordination ceremony, reflect the global and universal nature of the Church. They are Deacons Joseph Lee, left. Andrew Bowron, Gavin Gomez, William Matthews SDB, Nicholas Nweke, Andrew Albis, Kenneth Photo: Ian Munro/courtesy News Ltd. Asaba, Clayton Mitchell and Nelson Po.