Seminarians Harnel Paulin from Maria, Siquijor, and Archie Toroy, from Bais City, Negros Oriental, were ordained as deacons Sunday at the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church in Dumaguete City.

Archbishop John Du and members of the clergy in the Diocese of Dumaguete witnessed the ceremony held before Du left for Palo, Leyte, yesterday.

The two deacons, who will be assigned to the Manalongon Parish in Siaton town, expressed their gratitude to the Dumaguete clergy and the community.

In his homily, Du thanked the families of the deacons for the support and inspiration during their formative years as seminarians. He said prayers and encouragement from the family and the community, are very important because they will help strengthen the faith and motivation of the deacons.

Du added that he was happy to ordain the two before leaving the Diocese, as Paulin and Toroy were part of the batch of seminarians at Saint Joseph Seminary College, when he arrived in Dumaguete in 2001.

The Archbishop said priesthood is a gift that entails responsibility. “May they become the inspiration and role models of young seminarians in their desire to become priests”, Du added.

He said the Roman Catholic Church is in need of more priests. At present, the Diocese of Dumaguete has 85 priests.

Du said the two deacons will be ordained as priests as soon as a new bishop is assigned to Dumaguete.*MA

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