Bishop Anthony Randazzo says the words of St Paul remind us that the priesthood is not a position of prestige or power, but of humble identification with Christ crucified. Source: The Record.
Bishop Randazzo, as Administrator of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, was speaking at the Mass for the Admission of Candidacy of Andrew Iswahyudi.
Bishop Randazzo is also the Bishop of Broken Bay in New South Wales.
More than 100 people gathered for the Mass at St Paul’s Church, in the Perth suburb of Menora, on July 6. Concelebrants included Ordinary Emeritus Msgr Harry Entwistle, Perth Vicar General Fr Stephen Hill and priest Fr Ted Wilson.
“Andrew, candidacy is not just a step toward ordination. It is a commitment to be conformed ever more deeply to Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and reigning,” Bishop Randazzo said, speaking to the candidate directly.
“The Church does not admit you to this path lightly,” he continued.
“Rather, in calling you today, the Church recognises signs of maturity, of prayerful discernment, and a desire to offer your life in service to Christ and His people,” he said.
Born into a non-Christian family in East Java, Indonesia, Mr Iswahyudi experienced a conversion to Christianity thanks to a series of “providential’ situations and acquaintances in his 20s and early 30s.
At the time, he was studying to obtain a medical degree.
Mr Iswahyudi’s journey led him through a few Protestant denominations, including at All Saints Anglican Parish in Brisbane, prior to his becoming Catholic in 2014 in Perth.
Now he lives in Perth, where he is enrolled as an external student at St Charles Seminary.
Msgr Entwistle said the occasion was a great joy for the growing ordinariate community of Perth.
“This new vocation, and indeed this celebration of Andrew’s candidacy really is a special gift from God,” Msgr Entwistle said.
“The need for vocations in Australia is great and the whole Ordinariate rejoices in Andrew’s journey.”
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Candidate for priesthood called to remain faithful to God’s will (The Record)
