|
In
1996 Bishop Kevin Manning, then Bishop of Armidale, New South Wales (NSW),
invited the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in the Philippines to
help in the ministry in the Diocese of Armidale. Then Provincial
Superior of the Ina ng Pag-asa Province, Fr. Efren Tomas, MS, sent in
succession two men to Australia to touch base with Bishop Manning and to
have a "look-see" on how best the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette can
contribute to the life and ministry of the Diocese.
There came a lull in communications between the Diocese and the Ina ng
Pag-asa Province. When Bishop Luc Matthys succeeded Bishop Manning, he
reitereated the invitation.
It
would not be till January 2003, with the election of the new Provincial
Superior, Fr. Romeo Gonzales, MS that the Ina ng Pag-asa Province would take
a positive step to initiate an exploration.
In
May 2003, Bishop Matthys approved the entry of Fr. Efren L. Musngi, MS.
After a long wait for the release of the appropriate visa, he set foot
on Australian soil on October 1, 2003. At 1:45 pm., Fr. Musngi was warmly
welcomed by Bishop Matthys and Monsignor Ted Wilkes.
Since
then, three others have been commissioned to do ministry in the
Diocese of Armidale: Fr. Rosanno Soriano, MS, Fr. Vimenco Ignacio, MS
and Fr. Greg Honorio, MS.
Frs.
Musngi and Honorio, have since been assigned elsewhere; only Fr.
Soriano at St. Andrew Parish, Wee Waa and Fr. Ignacio at St. Xavier Parish,
Narrabi remain in the Diocese of Armidale.
|
