The ceremony is a historical milestone for the diocesan Church and the country since it is one of the most numerous ordinations ever recorded.
Newsroom (August 18, 2021 8:30 PM, Gaudium Press) After five years of intense formation, last Saturday, August 14, the Chilean diocese of San José de Temuco ordained 23 permanent deacons in the Cathedral.
A historical landmark for Chile
The ordination ceremony was scheduled to take place on March 19, the feast of Saint Joseph, patron saint of the diocese. However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebration had to be postponed.
According to the diocesan advisor, Father Rodrigo Aguilar, the ceremony is a “historical milestone not only in our diocesan Church but also in our country, because there are 23 brothers, one of the most numerous ordinations recorded.”
The public role of the Church is not limited to its welfare and educational activities
In his homily, the Bishop of Temuco, most Rev. Héctor Vargas, recalled the parable of the Good Samaritan, explaining that “love for the other person -for the simple fact of being who he or she is, moves us to seek the best for them. Only by cultivating this form of relationship we can foster a social friendship that excludes no one and a fraternity open to all.”
The prelate also emphasized that, in this sense, the Church “plays a public role that is not exhausted in its welfare and educational activities, but seeks the promotion of man and universal brotherhood. It does not intend to dispute earthly powers, but to offer itself as a home among families by witnessing faith, hope and love for the Lord and for those whom He loves with predilection.”
“We want to be a Church that serves”
Bishop Héctor Vargas also explained that “the Church is a house with open doors because she is a mother. And like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we want to be a Church that serves, that parts home, that parts its temples, that parts its sacristies, to accompany life, to sustain hope, to be a sign of unity to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow reconciliation.”
In conclusion, the Bishop of Temuco assured that “the school of the diaconate is permanently called to respond to the Church according to what she expects from her ministers.” (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj