Excerpts from Homily of Most Reverend Liam MacDaid, Bishop of Clogher, at the Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev Stephen Duffy and Rev Kevin Malcolmson in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan on Sunday 24 July 2016.
‘It is true that God has made his entire people a royal priesthood in Christ. But our High Priest, jesus Christ, also chose some of his followers to carry out publicly in the Church a priestly ministry inhis name on behalf of mankind.’
‘Our brothers have seriously considered this step and are now to be ordained to priesthood… They are to serve Christ the Teacher, Priest and Shepherd in their ministry which is to make his own body, the Church, grow into the people of God, a holy temple.’
‘They are called to share in the priesthood of the bishops and to be moulded into the likeness of the Christ, the supreme and eternal priest.’
‘My sons, you are now to be advanced to the order of the presbyterate. You must apply your energies to the duty of teaching in the name of Jesus, the chief Teacher. Share will all mankind the Word of God you have received with joy. Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believe, and put into practice what you teach.’
‘Let the example of your lives attract the followers of Christ, so that by word and action you may build up the house which is God’s Church.’
‘When you baptise, you will bring men and women into the people of God. In the sacrament of Reconciliation, you will forgive sins in the name of Christ and the Church. With holy oil you will relieve and console the sick. You will celebrate the liturgy and offer thanks and praise to God throughout the day, praying not only for the people pf God but for the whole world. Remember that you are chosen from among God’s people and appointed to act for them in relation to God. Do your part in the work of Christ the Priest with genuine joy and love, and attend to the concerns of Christ before your own.’
‘…seek to bring the faithful together into a unified family and to lead them effectively, through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, to God the Father. Always remember the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve, and to seek out and rescue those who were lost.’
