Bishop of Colombo ordains 11 priests, three deacons

A day of significance, a day of spirituality for the Church of Ceylon when his Lordship, Rt. Rev. Delo Canagasabey, Bishop of Colombo ordained 11 priests and three deacons into his fold of shepherds chosen by God on May 6 at the Cathedral of the Living Saviour in the presence of a large gathering, from every nook and corner of the country to watch this great day of their own representative priests. My church, St. Stephen's, Marawila also received a full-fledged priest in Rev. Fr. Anil Wickramasinghe who too was ordained.

The largest church in the country, the Cathedral has a seating capacity of 3,500 was jam-packed, many standing in the corridors and outside that could not accommodate the only 1,000 seats of the day. People were happy because it was a day dedicated to God in those three hours of service.

After the priestly procession led by His Lordship to the altar, he blessed, welcomed and addressed those who were to be ordained.

"We are gathered today to ordain a deacon and priest of Christ's holy church. Christ is the Head of the Church; He alone is the source of all Christian Ministry. Through the ages it is Christ who has called men and women to serve.

"After Christ's Resurrection and Ascension, the Holy Spirit gave gifts abundantly to the Church. Some were made Apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip God's people for their work of ministry and to build the Body of Christ.

"By the Holy Spirit all who believe and are baptised receive a ministry to proclaim Jesus as Saviour, Lord and the source of abundant life, and to love and serve the people with whom they are Placed. In Christ they are to bring reconciliation and wholeness to all.

"They are to be the salt of the earth, and light to the world.

"We stand within the tradition of ministry of deacons priests and bishops. They are called and empowered to cooperate in fulfilling the whole mission of God. Our authority is in Scripture, Reason and in the Church's continuing tradition through the ages, interpreted by the Holy Spirit, the source of all growth."

After the declaration of obedience to God, the new priests and deacons received the blessing of their parents. The three deacons also washed the feet of 12 people including children in a symbolic gesture to declare humility and love for each other and the church as Jesus Christ did.

They were all greeted by a chorus of drumming to declare their commitment to God and the Church, to look after the poor and the needy and finally, His Lordship, Bishop Canagasabey addressed the ordinand laying his hand on each of them:-

"God of grace, through Your Holy Spirit, gentle as a dove, living, burning as fire, empower you servants for the work in the church of God by the laying on of our hands, in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

May every grace of ministry rest on these your servants. Keep them strong and faithful. Steadfast in Jesus Christ our saviour".

As the evening rolled over to the night, the rains kept away. It was a beautiful blessed day to remember.

-Gwen Herat