VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has given the church 19 new priests, ordaining the men in an elaborate ceremony Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica, as the credibility of the Vatican and many of its clergy is threatened by widespread scandals of pedophile priests and systematic efforts at cover-ups.
Fifteen of the seminarians ordained by Francis are Italian; the others are from Croatia, Peru, Haiti and Japan. The seminarians’ ages range from mid-20s to 46. Wearing white robes, the seminarians stood in three rows before the central altar after replying, “Here I am,” as their names were called one by one. Francis, reciting a ritual formula, asked if they were worthy to become priests.
Later in the ceremony, the seminarians prostrated themselves in a sign of obedience to church authority and to God, on a carpet in front of the altar. During his homily, Francis instructed them to never “tire of being merciful” toward the faithful who confess sins.
