As the number of priests continues to dwindle in the U.S., the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester has just ordained five new priests.
WORCESTER -- As the number of priests continues to dwindle in the U.S., the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester has just added five new priests to its ranks.
The five men, all currently deacons, were ordained Saturday by Bishop Robert McManus during a ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Juan Echavarria, Edwin Montana, Marcin Nowicki, Guillermo Ochoa and Nelson Rivera will be assigned to parishes within the diocese.
Diocese spokesman Ray Delisle said the new priests will help strengthen the ranks of the clergy, which has been thinned in recent years by retirements, deaths and decreased interest in entering the priesthood.
The diocese expects to train 10 more new priests in the next two years.
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Information from: Telegram & Gazette, http://www.telegram.com