Seven new priests a ‘real symbol of hope’ for Catholic Church: Archbishop

Seven new Catholic priests were ordained in St Mary’s Cathedral yesterday, with Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher describing them as ‘a real symbol of hope’ for the Church.

It has been a rough few years for the image of the Catholic Church, but in a sign of the strength of faith it still possesses, seven young men were made priests yesterday — the largest ordination since 2012.

And they were an eclectic bunch at St Mary’s Cathedral, including former medical ­students, scientists and ­engineers.

New priests (from left) William Chow, William Loh, Moises Tapia, John Jang, Miguel Perez, Joseph Murphy and Ronnie Maree. Pictures: Sam Ruttyn, Brendan Read

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher said: “The ordinations are a real symbol of hope for our Church as we unite to celebrate these young priests who are called like the Good Shepherd to lay down their lives for their flock.”

MORE FROM JACK MORPHET

Students to decide what is causing climate change

Cancer patients to receive free IVF

New hi-tech computing subjects for all students

All seven priests at one point in yesterday’s ceremony lay face down at the altar for the “Litany of Supplication”, in a show of complete submission to God.

The new priests have been promoted after serving as deacons in parishes across the city, including Bankstown in the west, inner-west Earlwood, Mosman on the North Shore and Caringbah and Miranda in Sydney’s south.

The seven new priests lay face down at the altar in a show of complete submission to God. Picture: Brendan Read

Dural-raised Joseph Murphy’s Generation Z university classmates had never met an aspiring priest before.

“They were always shocked and always asked me why, and I’d say: ‘I feel a deep call within me to give my life in service, primarily of God, and of people’,” the 27-year-old said.

“A lot of people will bring celibacy up as something they don’t understand because priests can’t have a family and can’t get married, which is true.

“When I explained I wanted to give myself completely to a life of service, they understand, even though they might think it’s a pretty big sacrifice.”

The Litany of Supplication. Picture: Brendan Read

John Jang, 33, was a first-year doctor at Westmead in 2011 and had every intention of training to become an ophthalmologist, until one weekend while praying he was hit with the thought of joining the priesthood.

“I don’t know how it popped into my head; maybe someone was whispering into my ear behind me,” Mr Jang said. “It was a weirdly specific thought; that I should spend a year considering the priesthood.”

Mr Jang entered the seminary a year later, after studying the great philosophers through history to hone his understanding of religious texts.

Former mechanical engineer student William Loh, 32, stacked shelves at Coles in Mt Druitt and maintained train station escalators before he settled on priesthood.

“I was studying complex and difficult concepts in my mechanical engineering degree and one day I thought to myself: ‘What’s the point of it all’?’” Mr Loh said.

After failing a year and seeing his “drinking buddies” graduate into steady jobs, Mr Loh reduced his subject load and started spending more time at Mass on campus.

A 30-day retreat without phones or computers convinced him mechanical engineering was ignoring the big issues.

“Science can explain how the universe was created as far back as the Big Bang, but religion answers why the universe was created at all,” he said.

Archbishop Fisher said: “Our new priests are a powerful reflection of our city’s rich cultural diversity, and include young men from Korea, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, poised to play their part in nurturing the faith journey of thousands of Catholics in the decades to come.”

The men enter the world as priests. Picture: Sam Ruttyn