First Mangyan priest ordained in the country (Phillipines)

Asia News ^ | April 23, 2007

[NYer]

PHILIPPINES
First Mangyan priest ordained in the country
Santosh Digal
A member of one of the oldest indigenous groupings in the country becomes a priest in a ceremony that draws thousands of faithful. The next day, the newly-ordained Father Oybad returned to his mountain community to celebrate.

Calapan City (AsiaNews) – The first ethnic Magyan priest was ordained on April 17 in a ceremony that brought together many faithful. The new priest comes from one of the most ancient and least known indigenous groupings of the country.

Although he had wanted a simple affair, Hanunuo Mangyan Gabayno Calinog Oybad’s entry into the priesthood was welcomed by thousands of Catholic faithful in Bulalacao Cathedral, Oriental Mindoro province.

“This is an event for the whole Catholic church,” said Fr. Ewald Dinter, director of the Mangyan Mission-Oriental Mindoro.

Quoting Pope John Paul II the clergyman explained that a “faith that does not become culture is a faith which has not been fully received, not fully lived.’

The service, held in the local dialect, was presided by Bishop Warlito Cajandig with the assistance of about a hundred priests, a string tied around their forehead out of respect for local indigenous traditions.

The following day Father Oybad travelled back to his mountain community near the city of Bulalacao where people rejoiced over his ordination.

Asked how he felt now that he was a priest, he said: “I am overwhelmed with the love of God.”

[Tax-chick]

I’m very pleased for all of them! The Philippines has many ethnic and linguistic groups, and the more who become Catholic and have priests of their own language and heritage, the better.

[Tax-chick]

I’m very pleased for all of them! The Philippines has many ethnic and linguistic groups, and the more who become Catholic and have priests of their own language and heritage, the better.

[Tax-chick]

Oops. Third time this afternoon. I need to wait-wait-wait while my posts post.

[NYer]

ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

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Code: ZE07043012

Date: 2007-04-30

Mangyan Islanders Welcome 1st Native Priest

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines, APRIL 30, 2007 (Zenit.org).- An island group in the Philippines now has its first native-born priest.

AsiaNews reported that Hanunuo Oybad, a Mangyan native from one of the most ancient and least known indigenous groups, was ordained last week after finishing his studies in pastoral sociology at the Asian Social Institute in Manila.

Oybad's entry into the priesthood was welcomed by thousands of Catholic faithful at the Bulalacao Cathedral of the Oriental Mindoro province.

"This is an event for the whole Catholic Church," said Father Ewald Dinter, director of the Mangyan Mission-Oriental Mindoro.

The ordination Mass, held in the local dialect, was presided by Bishop Warlito Cajandig and concelebrated by nearly 100 priests.

Father Oybad said he wished his priesthood to be "simple, close to people, balanced by prayer."

Asked how he felt now that he was a priest, Father Oybad reflected, "I am overwhelmed with the love of God."

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The ordination Mass, held in the local dialect

This truly was a momentous event. As much as we love tradition, the adoption of the vernacular by Second Vatican Council, has contributed to these extraordinary manifestations of love for our Lord, drawing in the natives who can now relate to the liturgy, in their native tongue. God bless this holy priest!

[NYer]

ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

---

Code: ZE07043012

Date: 2007-04-30

Mangyan Islanders Welcome 1st Native Priest

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines, APRIL 30, 2007 (Zenit.org).- An island group in the Philippines now has its first native-born priest.

AsiaNews reported that Hanunuo Oybad, a Mangyan native from one of the most ancient and least known indigenous groups, was ordained last week after finishing his studies in pastoral sociology at the Asian Social Institute in Manila.

Oybad's entry into the priesthood was welcomed by thousands of Catholic faithful at the Bulalacao Cathedral of the Oriental Mindoro province.

"This is an event for the whole Catholic Church," said Father Ewald Dinter, director of the Mangyan Mission-Oriental Mindoro.

The ordination Mass, held in the local dialect, was presided by Bishop Warlito Cajandig and concelebrated by nearly 100 priests.

Father Oybad said he wished his priesthood to be "simple, close to people, balanced by prayer."

Asked how he felt now that he was a priest, Father Oybad reflected, "I am overwhelmed with the love of God."

---

The ordination Mass, held in the local dialect

This truly was a momentous event. As much as we love tradition, the adoption of the vernacular by Second Vatican Council, has contributed to these extraordinary manifestations of love for our Lord, drawing in the natives who can now relate to the liturgy, in their native tongue. God bless this holy priest!