Page 7 - LOTN Summer Issue 47 2021

DIOCESE
Joyous occasion as Deacons Christopher

and Malachy ordained to the priesthood

eflecting on church services that have adapted and vaccination against this. Au contraire. Keep your sensitivities,
taken place during the midst of the pandemic, your weakness, your limits, your vulnerability. That will let the
R during the lockdown last year in 2020, St Mary’s power of Christ – St Paul said it – roost in you, pitch its tent in
Cathedral in Aberdeen were delighted to have welcomed you, overshadow and protect you, and comfort others.”
Christopher Doig and Malachy Eze as deacons at a special Father Christopher, originally from the Perth and Blairgowrie
ceremony with invited guests who had to adhere to social area, commented upon his becoming an ordained priest:
distancing guidelines. And similarly, now this year on "This day is, without a doubt, the best day of my life. It has
Friday the 16th of July in 2021, both Christopher Doig taken seven years of intense prayer and study to get here and
and Malachy Eze have been ordained to the priesthood. what a joy it is to make that final Yes and be firmly rooted in a
In a service celebrated by Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB and vocation to serve God and His Church. The journey has been
taking place at St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen with Covid a long one, mixed with immense joys and trials but ultimately
restrictions still in place, this Mass was again by “invitation one that has been fulfilling and a real adventure filled with
only”. However, an additional thousand viewers from all over surprises. It is also great to see the family and friends who have
the world were able to witness and participate in this joyful accompanied me and helped me along the way. God be praised!"
and blessed occasion which took place under such unique Father Malachy who was born in Igboland, Nigeria, added
circumstances. further to what he described as “The Dream of a Newly
As Bishop Hugh Gilbert had said last year, when Christopher Ordained Priest”:
and Malachy were ordained as deacons, they will have a “story "I was ordained a priest, just two days ago and it is with a
for life” after being ordained during lockdown. And now as grateful heart that I reflect on my journey, and to where it has
priests, Bishop Hugh added: taken me. Indeed, the Lord has exceeded all my expectations,
"The ordinations of Christopher Doig and Malachy Eze on granting me the gift of the priesthood for his people. With
16th July has brought much joy to the Catholic community of gratitude for what the Lord has done, I can only pray for one
the Diocese of Aberdeen and to all who know and cherish them. thing more, that all may truly come to the knowledge of Christ
Especially as we emerge from the long tunnel of the pandemic, it as a living person who loves us personally and will remain with
is heartening to see two young men coming forward full of faith us till the end.
and the desire to serve God and their fellow human beings." "I believe that this too is Bishop Hugh’s vision for the Diocese
In a moving homily Bishop Hugh cautioned Christopher of Aberdeen. It is my prayer and my dream, and I sincerely hope
and Malachy: ”Be aware of the power you carry to wound that, as a priest, I may become an instrument in God’s hand in
and pray not to do harm. Pray, in fact, to share the weakness bringing this about. I pray that the Spirit of God will renew the
and vulnerability of Christ. Don’t turn - you won’t turn - into hunger and thirst for the knowledge of Christ Jesus in the heart
hard, all-knowing, omni-competent functionaries. Don’t dull of his people. It is in knowing Jesus that we are set free, that
yourselves – you won’t – with cheap consolations. Endure our hopes are restored, and that we are reassured of his abiding
people’s grief or anger and disappointment. Accept the measure presence, specially so in these difficult times."
of the rebellion and pain of the world that will come your
way and allow Christ to transfigure it. Your priesthood is no Glen Reynolds (Evangelisation and Communication Officer)

The candidates process to the sanctuary The candidates lie prostrate before the altar

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