1ST FILIPINO PARISH PRIEST. Fr. Deem Virtudazo leads the blessing of the Holy Communion during the celebration of Mass in this undated photo. Virtudazo is the first Filipino parish priest in the diocese of Nakuru, Kenya. (Photo from St. John the Evangelist Church)
MANILA – Reverend Father Deem Virtudazo, a Poor Servants of the Divine Providence priest who hails from Compostela Valley in Mindanao, has been appointed as the first Filipino parish priest in the diocese of Nakuru, Kenya.
The official installation of Virtudazo as the new parish priest of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church was held during a mass attended by the representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, led by Consul General Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian, and the Filipino Community in Kenya last June 19.
“Each priest is different from the other such as characters, attitudes, relating to the people, ways of running the parish, styles of organizing, talents… But with all these differences, there is one thing in common with all the priests and that is we are called by the Lord and we are chosen to serve Him,” Virtudazo said after the installation rites.
He also expressed his gratitude for the trust and support he receives from the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi and the Filipino and Kenyan community, and vowed that he will fulfill his responsibilities to live and preach the gospel of the Lord.
Ambassador Alex Chua extended his warmest congratulations to Virtudazo on this new accomplishment and expressed his confidence that he will continue to bring honor to the Philippines and will be an exemplary representative of the Filipino people, culture, and values through his able and dedicated service to his Parish.
Virtudazo is also the first Filipino missionary at the Poor Servants of the Divine Providence (PSDP), a Catholic religious congregation composed of Brothers and Priests and missionaries of Poor Sisters, founded by St. John Calabria in 1907 in Verona, Italy.
He studied Theology at Tangaza University in Kenya and graduated as cum laude. (PR)
