ORDINATION OF FIRST PAPUA NEW GUINEAN SPIRITAN PRIEST

Papua New Guinea has just had its first Spiritan Priest ordained on Sunday, 2nd February in Aitape.

Reverend Micheal Terence Watae CSSp from Yakamul on the East Coast of Aitape was ordained by the Bishop of Zanzibar, Augustine Shao CSSp, in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the Protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Spiritans). He became the first in Papua New Guinea and the second in the Oceania Region to be ordained into this Congregation.

His ordination had also come at a special time, as this year marks the 300th Anniversary Year of the existence of the Spiritan Congregation.

Their order can be found all over the world today in Europe, India, Africa, North and South America, Australia and now even in Papua New Guinea.

"Be a dreamer, and never stop dreaming for one day your dreams will become a reality and you will see the fruits of that dream," said Bishop Augustine, during the actual ordination ceremony of Reverend Micheal Watae CSSp to priesthood.

The Ordination Mass took place at the Saint Ignatius Secondary School Hall. Present at this celebration was the Bishop of Zanzibar, Augustine Shao CSSp, who was the main celebrant; Bishop of Aitape Diocese, Austen Robin Crapp OFM; Fr. Mike Onwuemelie CSSp, the General Councilor from Rome; Fr. Mike Doyle, the Spiritan Superior in Trans Canada; Fr. Wally McNamara, Spiritan Superior in Australia; Fr. Wencelas Rabe CSSp. Spiritan Superior of the Indian Ocean Foundation; Fr. Tommy, the Vicar General in Vanimo, Fr. Donatus, from the Spiritan congregation in Wewak; Fr. Pat Doran and other priests and brothers from the parishes around the Diocese of Aitape.

Clothing of the new priest