Malaysia, the first priestly ordination in Ipoh in 22 years
Fr. Andrew Wong, 43, was ordained a priest in the Congregation of the Lord's Disciples (CDD). He decided to become a priest while attending World Youth Day 2000 in Rome.
Ipoh (AsiaNews/Herald Malaysia) - Andrew Wong, 43, of the Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord (CDD) was ordained a priest in his home parish of St. Michael's. On 30 November, more than a thousand people, Catholics and non-Catholics, came to attend the ceremony, celebrated on the feast of St. Andrew. Those unable to find room in the church followed the ceremony on a screen outside. Fr. Wong was baptized in 1969; he was an altar boy and received confirmation in the Church of St. Michael. He was a member of the Chinese youth group, and attended World Youth Day in Rome in 2000. The last ordination at St. Michael's parish was 22 years ago, when Fr. Michael Cheah received the sacraments.
The bilingual eucharistic celebration was presided by the Bishop of Penang, Antony Selvanayagam. Concelebrants were the provincial of the CDD, Fr. Philip Tan Chong Men and the parish priest of St. Michael's, Msgr. Stephen Liew. 49 priests attended the ordination, along with many religious men and women, including Fr. Wong's sister, Celina, who is a Sister of the Child Jesus. Fr. Wong was an accountant for 14 years before answering the call to the priesthood. He studied theology at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, graduating in 2010. He made his solemn profession on August 21, 2010, and was ordainted deacon on June 27, 2011, in Melaka.
Fr. Wong speaks Chinese and English and did pastoral work in Petaling Jaya and Kuching. In his speech Fr. Wong thanked bishops, priests and religious; he also paid a tribute of gratitude to his parents, both deceased, to relatives and friends from Taiwan, many of whom are non-Catholics, and yet who came to demonstrate affection and support; he also thanked the Buddhist community. "I believe that this opportunity will help to promote harmony and interreligious understanding," he said, adding for the young people: "Consider a religious vocation, you will find challenges but also great joy".
The bilingual eucharistic celebration was presided by the Bishop of Penang, Antony Selvanayagam. Concelebrants were the provincial of the CDD, Fr. Philip Tan Chong Men and the parish priest of St. Michael's, Msgr. Stephen Liew. 49 priests attended the ordination, along with many religious men and women, including Fr. Wong's sister, Celina, who is a Sister of the Child Jesus. Fr. Wong was an accountant for 14 years before answering the call to the priesthood. He studied theology at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, graduating in 2010. He made his solemn profession on August 21, 2010, and was ordainted deacon on June 27, 2011, in Melaka.
Fr. Wong speaks Chinese and English and did pastoral work in Petaling Jaya and Kuching. In his speech Fr. Wong thanked bishops, priests and religious; he also paid a tribute of gratitude to his parents, both deceased, to relatives and friends from Taiwan, many of whom are non-Catholics, and yet who came to demonstrate affection and support; he also thanked the Buddhist community. "I believe that this opportunity will help to promote harmony and interreligious understanding," he said, adding for the young people: "Consider a religious vocation, you will find challenges but also great joy".
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