
The words of Saint Paul remind us that the priesthood is not a position of prestige or power, but of humble identification with Christ crucified, Bishop Anthony Randazzo has said.
Bishop Randazzo, as Administrator of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross was speaking at the Mass for the Admission of Candidacy of Andrew Iswahyudi.
Bishop Randazzo is also Bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay in New South Wales.
More than 100 people came together at St Paul’s Church, Sunday 6 July for the Mass, including concelebrants Vicar General Fr Stephen Hill, Ordinary Emeritus Msgr Harry Entwistle and Perth priest Fr Ted Wilson.
“Andrew, candidacy is not just a step toward ordination. It is a commitment to be conformed ever more deeply to Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and reigning,” Bishop Randazzo explained, speaking to Andrew directly.
“The Church does not admit you to this path lightly,” he continued.
“Rather, in calling you today, the Church recognizes signs of maturity, of prayerful discernment, and a desire to offer your life in service to Christ and His people,” he said.
Born into a devout non-Christian family in East Java, Indonesia, Andrew experienced a conversion to Christianity thanks to a series of ‘providential’ situations and acquaintances in his 20s and early 30s.
At the time he was also studying to obtain a medical degree.
Andrew’s journey led him through a few Protestant denominations, he recalled, including at All Saints Anglican Parish in Brisbane, prior to his becoming Catholic in 2014 in Perth.
Now is currently located in Perth, where he is enrolled at St Charles Seminary as an external student.
Ordinariate currently has two seminarians in Australia.
Ordinariate OLSC Ordinary Emeritus Msgr Harry Entwistle said the occasion was a great joy for the growing Ordinariate community of Perth.
“This new vocation, and indeed this celebration of Andrew’s candidacy really is a special gift from God,” Msgr Entwistle said.
“The need for vocations in Australia is great and the whole Ordinariate rejoices in Andrew’s journey,” he said.
In concluding his homily, Bishop Randazzo reminded Andrew that he does not walk the path towards priesthood alone.
“Your journey of formation is undertaken in communion with your bishop, your pastors, your seminary formators, and the faithful who surround you now with prayer,” Bishop Randazzo said.
“The whole Church accompanies you, nurturing your gifts, calling you deeper into holiness, and encouraging you to remain faithful to God’s will.
Ultimately, this path is not just about ministry, it is about love. Love that takes the form of self-gift, of pouring yourself out for others, as Christ did,” he concluded.