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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