Suresh Abboodass
The Archdiocese of Southwark has been blessed with three new Deacons who were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by the Right Reverend Philip Moger, Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, at a grand ceremony at St. George’s Metropolitan Cathedral, London, on Friday 22nd September.
Of the three Deacons ordained, two of them – Deacon Saleem Gurdas and Deacon Chigbo Ugwuoke-will serve the parish of St. Wilfrid´s Catholic Church in Kennington, while Deacon Longinus Anyanjo will serve the parish of Battersea.
In a solemn ceremony, followed by Holy Mass, which was attended by a number of deacons and priests from the Archdiocese of Southwark, the three deacons-elect gave their Promise of Obedience to the presiding Bishop Philip Moger before the Laying On of Hands and Prayer of Consecration.
After the Prayer of Consecration, the newly consecrated Deacons were vested with the stole and dalmatic brought to the church by their families and vested upon by the elder Deacons. This was followed by Presentation of the Book of the Gospels and Kiss of Peace.
Delivering the homily, Bishop Philip Moger stressed the importance of the family in the lives of the newly consecrated Deacons. “Your family is important-it envelops your lives,” he said.
“Each one of you has made a journey- a spiritual journey to this moment. Your wives have supported you and your children too. You have come not as super heroes, but to help as Ministers of the Word and to serve.”
“God will watch over you, rejoicing in your joy, strengthening you so that you never turn away from your vocation.”
Deacon Ian Black, Diocesan Director of Diaconate Formation, said: “After many years of discernment, prayer, academic and pastoral formation, they have been called to serve the Church as Permanent Deacons. This journey has not been easy at times, especially being interrupted by amongst other things a global pandemic and associated restrictions.
“They have reached the end of this part of the journey, ready to start their ministries in their respective parishes, to serve those communities and take the Church into the wider world.”
Later the newly consecrated Deacons took their places on the sanctuary next to Bishop Moger to take part in the celebration of Holy Mass.
Picture: The newly consecrated Deacons with Bishop Philip Moger