Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury has ordained two men to the priesthood in the last two weeks.
Father Moses Ibeh, a Nigerian, was ordained in Shrewsbury Cathedral on Wednesday June 28, the vigil of the Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul.
Father Sean Henry, who was born in Wolverhampton, was ordained in the Cathedral by Bishop Davies on Friday July 7.
Fr Ibeh (pictured above) joined the diocese three years ago to serve as a deacon at the Church of Our Lady and the Apostles, Stockport.
In his homily at the ordination, Bishop Davies said: “Like the long journeys of the Apostles to Rome your own journey to Shrewsbury demanded patience and perseverance.
“Perseverance brings us the assurance that the Lord has called you half way around the world to give your priestly witness among the people of this land.”
In his homily at the ordination of Fr Henry, 42, Bishop Davies recalled how the newest priest of the Diocese discerned a priestly vocation from the age of six.
He observed that it returned strongly at a time when Fr Henry was settled in his professional life as a deputy director of nursing with the NHS.
“It takes courage always to respond to this calling in the face of all our limitations and our weaknesses, a call which leads us to fall prostrate on the ground before we receive this gift,” said Bishop Davies.
“The call to the priesthood may come at many different times and in many different ways but I always bears the hallmark of the Eucharist.”
The ordination Mass was well attended by many of Fr Henry’s former health service colleagues.
Afterwards, Fr Henry said: “I would like to express my gratitude to the Bishop and the clergy and all the people in the Diocese. I have met so many. It is a really warm and welcoming Diocese and I would like to express my appreciation.”
In a note of gratitude published in the order of service, he also expressed his gratitude to his late parents and to his sisters, Michelle and Jade, and his brother Ronnie and other members of his family.
He added: “A special thanks to my many nursing and health care colleagues whose work change people lives.
“I am so honoured to be a nurse and to have worked alongside you. Nursing gave me the ability to understand on a deeper level how Christian discipleship can be expressed every day in service to others. The work is hard, but it is a wonderful and generous service. I’m proud of you all.”
(Photos by Simon Caldwell)
