Two priests and four deacons ordained in Kirkuk

(July 16, 2010) The ordination of two priests and four permanent deacons on Friday in Kirkuk, northeast Iraq, has been hailed as ‘a sign of vitality and hope" for the suffering Catholic Church in the country. Chaldean archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk ordained the two priests and four deacons at a ceremony held in his cathedral. "It 's a sign of vitality and hope to see these young people consecrated to the Lord and to the service of their brothers living in great suffering, in this time of tribulation and darkness," Archbishop Sako told AsiaNews. The month of July witnessed a real flowering of priestly ordinations which have infused new life into the Christian community, that is hard hit by continuing sectarian violence and political instability that plague Iraq. Earlier on July 9, a priest was consecrated in Dohok, in the north, while another will be ordained on July 23 in Karamless in the diocese of Mosul. Even the Syro-Catholic Church of Bartella and Karakosh were gifted with new priests this month. In his homily at the ordination Mass, Archbishop Sako reminded the new priests to live the gift of God as Mary did, as a personal relationship that changed her life. “Prayer is a true shield of protection, provided that it is done in humility,” he added.