On Saturday 25 June, six men were ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Vincent at Westminster Cathedral. Concelebrating were Bishops John Sherrington, Nicholas Hudson and Mark Jabale, along with several priests of the diocese.
Ordained were Fr Christian de Lisle, Fr Tom Montgomery, Fr Damian Ryan, Fr John Scott, Fr Tony Thomas and Fr Chinedu Udo.
During the homily which preceded the Ordination Rite, Cardinal Vincent, echoing the words of St Paul, enjoined the men to 'lead a life worthy of your vocation'. In turn, he promised them 'our prayers and support as you set out to lead that life as priests of Jesus Christ. To be his prisoner is to enjoy the most exquisite kind of freedom!'
The Cardinal explained that 'a worthy life is marked by unfailing charity, offered to one another'. He asked them to listen again to St Paul who tells them to 'do all you can to preserve unity in the Spirit', saying that this is the Spirit of Jesus 'that lives in the Church, that holds us together as a Church' and that this is the unity which priests are to serve.
He spoke of the examples of St John Southworth who lived his priestly life to the point of martyrdom and Bishop Richard Challoner whose vision of priesthood is that of 'missionary priests'.
'Priesthood is something beyond us all,' explained the Cardinal. 'It is a gift beyond our imagining, beyond our doing. And it is a gift which opens for us all the wonders of the Lord’s goodness and grace, transforming not only the lives of these six men, but through them, the lives of us all.'
Fr Christian de Lisle has been appointed Assistant Priest at St Paul's, Wood Green. Frs Tom Montgomery and Chinedu Udo have been appointed Assistant Priests at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George, Enfield, Fr Damian Ryan goes to St John Vianney, West Green, as Assistant Priest, Fr John Scott will serve as Cathedral Chaplain. Fr Tony Thomas is appointed Assistant Priest at St George, Sudbury.
Please pray for these men as they begin their new ministry.
Photos of the ordinations can be viewed here.
The full text of Cardinal Vincent's homily can be read here.
