Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete has reminded priests under his leadership to stay rooted to Jesus Christ and serve the people with utmost humility.
Bishop Cortes issued his call as more than 100 priests took their renewal of vows during the Chrism Mass held on Holy Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Dumaguete.
Not only diocesan priests but those coming from different religious congregations covered by the Dumaguete diocese attended the year renewal of priestly vows.
In his homily, Bishop Cortes stressed that the priests were called in the first place to their vocation in response to Jesus’ call to which they responded, and therefore, the priests should remain faithful to their calling.
“I hope that we shall always remember, and keep on returning to this rootedness in the Lord Jesus who called you to become a priest. And that through the years, he has always affirmed (and) confirmed the calling you once heard”, said Cortes.
Cortes also told the priests to return to their roots as a person, saying that he is praying the priests have changed to become a better person.
They were also told to remain strong in the midst of adversities and obstacles, facing challenges and remembering Jesus’ mission to bring good tidings to the poor.
“There must be no arrogance among us, no sense of superiority, especially in relation to our parishioners”, Bishop Cortes reminded the priests.
“We must not seek to be served, but pour ourselves out in genuine care and concern for the people we serve,” he added. (PNA/JFP)
