Quality over quantity matters

ISULAN, SULTAN KUDARAT—Though the Archdiocese of Cotabato highly needs more priests to serve the one million population of the local church, Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, the archbishop of Cotabato says quality over quantity matters.

In his homily during the presbyteral ordination of Fr. Rex Carnaso, March 24 at the San Carlos Borromeo Parish here, Cardinal Quevedo reflected on the role of the priests in the Church—a church of the poor and for the poor as inspired by Pope Francis and the declaration of the Year of the Poor by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The archbishop of Cotabato said the priest is the key to the realization of the church of the poor since the priest is a special kind, a special breed, especially a newly-ordained priest.

He added the priest should have poverty in spirit and simplicity/humility.

The cardinal said a priest should have the poverty in spirit—the rich and the poor alike should have that poverty, an evangelical poverty.

Cardinal Quevedo also said a priest should be simple and humble—he must not be part of the elite in society.

The archbishop said a priest should be 24 hours a day available to serve the poor and not just work for security and vacations.

PEOPLE SHOULD PRAY FOR PRIESTS

“Pray for your priests. Keep your prayers for Fr. Rex, don’t spoil him,” said the Cardinal, adding that the community must be with him, praying for him always.

He also thanked the parents of Fr. Rex who offered him to God.