First Filipino priest ordained in northern Australia in 30 years
One of Australia’s oldest dioceses recently witnessed the ordination of a Filipino priest for the first time in three decades.
Twenty-eight-year-old Fr. Andric Dean Tobias Taberdo is the newly-ordained priest in Darwin, Australia, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), making him the first Filipino priest ordained in the Northern Territory and the first priest consecrated in the Darwin diocese in almost three decades.
“Thanks to God, who unites us in a communion of love and, in love, called me to the priesthood,” were Taberdo’s first words in his priestly ministry.
Taberdo said his purpose as a priest was to walk with them and share Christ’s message.
“His ministry is one of love and trying to grow in the love of God,” he said.
Fr. Andric Dean Tobias Taberdo (CBCP Photo)
Darwin Bishop Charles Gauci, who ordained the Filipino priest, described Taberdo as a “local boy” whose migratory family settled in Palmerston and who 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 him in our prayers so he can be a faithful follower of Jesus,” Gauci said. Following years of theological study at the Melbourne Seminary, Taberdo received diaconal ordination at the same cathedral in October 2022. (Rhowen Del Rosario)
Fr. Andric Dean Tobias Taberdo (CBCP Photo)
Darwin Bishop Charles Gauci, who ordained the Filipino priest, described Taberdo as a “local boy” whose migratory family settled in Palmerston and who 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 him in our prayers so he can be a faithful follower of Jesus,” Gauci said. Following years of theological study at the Melbourne Seminary, Taberdo received diaconal ordination at the same cathedral in October 2022. (Rhowen Del Rosario)