Newly ordained Fr. Andric Dean Taberdo during the ordination ceremony. (Screenshot from Diocese of Darwin video)
MANILA – A Filipino was ordained to the priesthood for one of the oldest dioceses in Australia, a first in three decades.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website reported on Wednesday that 28-year-old Fr. Andric Dean Taberdo, was ordained for the Diocese of Darwin during a Mass held at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral on May 24.
Bishop Charles Gauci, who presided over the ceremony was concelebrated with the diocese’s bishop emeritus, Eugene Hurley, and several priests from across the nation.
The prelate said Taberdo was a “local boy”, whose migrant family settled in Palmerston, and answered God’s call to serve his people.
“A priest is called by God to serve other people and help them in their role and mission in life. Let’s all keep in him our prayers so he can be a faithful follower of Jesus,” he said.
The newly ordained priest studied theology at the Melbourne Seminary and received his diaconal ordination at the same cathedral in October 2022.
Before becoming a priest, he was a member of the cathedral parish team and helped ministered at the St. Mary’s School and St. John’s College, among others.
Taberdo hails from the town of Agoo in the Philippines' northern province of La Union.
The newly ordained priest thanked God, his family, and the bishops and priests who supported him throughout his religious journey.
Among those who greeted the new priest was Vice Consul Angela Laurente of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra.
There are over 7,000 Filipinos living in the Northern Territory of Australia. (PNA)
