1183 Genoa: Cardinal Bertone ordains three Vietnamese to priesthood
austraLasia #1183

Genoa: Cardinal Bertone ordains three Vietnamese to priesthood

GENOVA: 2 July 2005 -- Cardinal Tarcisius Bertone of Genoa today ordained three young Vietnamese Salesian deacons to the priesthood. A further seven were recently ordained in Ho Chi Minh City (27th June).  The total number of ordinations for this year for that province is eighteen.
    The Genoa ordinations are of special interest, since they are the first batch of what is known as the Collaiocomo project.  The students arrived in 1999 under an arrangement with the ILT (Liguria-Toscana) province which covers their study expenses.  The ILT province website on its homepage seeks regular support for seminarians who come from outside of Italy to further their studies and also demonstrates the role these candidates play in the life of the province. 
    The ordination took place at 5 pm on Saturday 2nd July at the parish of St John Bosco and St Cajetan, in Genoa itself.  The three Vietnamese were the only ordinations taking place on this occasion.
    Genoa has several symbolic associations which help to background today's event.  It was one of St. John Bosco's first and favourite foundations, one which he called The Second Valdocco.  It was from Genoa that the first missionary expedition, and Don Bosco himself, had a 'window on the missionary world'; Genoa, the famed centre of which Christopher Columbus himself was a citizen (although France and Italy still argue over the precise birthplace of the explorer).  Today it is an important entry point for migrants from all over the world.  In July 2001 it saw massed protests and violent repression during the G8 Conference.
    Today, however, Genoa stands for everything that is noble and generous as three young Vietnamese confirm their lives of priestly service and thank God for those who have brought them to this moment.

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