Two New Deacons for Cape Town Archdiocese
Paul Carlo Moore, 30, from Glasgow, Scotland and James Anthony Rice, 27, from Denver, USA were ordained as transitional deacons at Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet, in the Archdiocese of Cape Town
By Pietro Poggiali – Paul Carlo Moore, 30, from Glasgow, Scotland and James Anthony Rice, 27, from Denver, Colorado, USA, were ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Archdiocese of Cape Town on May 31. Both men are preparing to become priests. Their calling arose and grew within the Neocatechumenal Way, and they have received their formation in the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Cape Town.
After many years of preparation and discernment, which even included the completion of their theological studies in the Gregorian Pontifical University of Rome and numerous experiences of missionary work in South Africa as well as abroad (for Paul in the Holy Land and for James in the United States, in Belize and in Zambia) they were found ready to receive this first seal on their vocation with the sacrament of Holy Orders.
The Ordination Mass took place in the Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet, thanks to the generous hospitality of the Redemptorist fathers, and was presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop Sylvester David OMI, on the providential and auspicious day of the Feast of Our Lady’s Visitation. In his homily, commenting the Gospel of the day, the bishop underlined how fitting was this date for a diaconal ordination, since on this very occasion Mary shows herself as the true “handmaiden of the Lord”, who as soon as she received the good news of the Annunciation, went without delay to share the Word and to put herself at the service of others.
Addressing the candidates, he invited them to follow her example in their ministry, reawakening the spirit of all those to whom they will announce the Gospel, just as Mary’s salutation made the baby leap in Elizabeth’s womb.
The celebration was attended by a large and joyful assembly made up of their families, who came for the occasion from abroad, their fellow seminarians and formators and the many brothers and sisters in Christ coming from different parishes, especially the communities of Bridgetown and Bishop Lavis, who closely accompanied them in these years.
We pray for these two new deacons, asking God that, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, they may always be faithful servants of Christ and his Church and courageous announcers of his Word. Indeed, with Mary, we can sing: “The Lord has done great things for us”!
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