ANGLICAN priests from throughout the region congregated in Ballarat yesterday for the annual Chrism Mass.
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All priests from the Ballarat Diocese, spreading from Ballan to Portland and to Kaniva, renewed their vows and their commitment to the church in the ceremony.
Bishop Garry Weatherill said that once a year, priests recommitted themselves to God and their position of service.
“The day was a renewal for the clergy in the Ballarat Diocese,” he said.
The oil, used to bless in the Anglican Church, was burnt and blessed to be taken back to the parishes across the diocese and used throughout this year.
The day also welcomed Father Constantine Osuchukwu to the Ballarat Diocese as an Anglican priest.
Father Osuchukwu previously served as a Roman Catholic priest but now looks forward to serving in the Anglican Church.
“He has done great work, and we look forward to the great work he’ll do continuing to serve God,” Bishop Weatherill said.
“It was a wonderful day, I feel very blessed to be here and become a part of the Ballarat diocese of the Anglican church,” Father Osuchukwu.
Bishop Weatherill said it would be an important year for the church with the royal commission into sexual abuse scheduled to start, which he addressed in his sermon.
“We need to reshape and rethink, we now have good structures in place and are a place in which people can come forward and have their voices heard,” he said.
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au