Norwich: First parishioner to be ordained at St John's Cathedral in 25 years

Academic and former prison chaplain, Andrew Eburne, became the first parishioner from St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich, to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 25 years on Friday night. The Rt Rev Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia was chief celebrant at the Ordination Mass.

Andrew's first career was in academia, teaching at Oxford University, but after a chance encounter in the Cathedral he became a prison chaplain in 2009.

"It was moving from one walled and gated community to another," he remembers. "But I learned a lot from the prisoners. They showed me that prison can be a place of grace, and a place of resurrection."

In 2013, Andrew returned to the academic world, becoming chaplain at the University of East Anglia. Then Bishop Alan asked for permission from Rome to ordain him and he was sent to study at Allen Hall seminary in London.

Andrew said: "A lot of people had suggested to me that I might be called to the priesthood: close friends, and priests among them. But it hasn't been an easy journey. For a long time I prayed to God - 'if there is anything else you want me to do, just show me!'

"After I had been some time at the seminary, the spiritual director said to me - 'Stop trying to make it easy for God to reject you!'

"I had to learn to give up my own plans, and put myself in God's hands. When I did that, and left everything to Him, then I found peace.

"I'm really pleased for St John's - it's the first time a priest has been ordained from the parish in a quarter of a century. I'm hoping it won't be as long before the next one!"

Following his ordination Fr Andrew will continue to serve at the Cathedral parish, and as the Chaplain to UEA.

In his homily, Bishop Alan said: "The Second Vatican Council speaks of the universal priesthood of all Christians. It is out of this priestly people of God that Jesus Christ chooses men and sets them apart to share in his High Priesthood in order that they might serve God's people.

"The call to be a priest comes from God alone. Andrew - God has called you, chosen you, for his own purposes - to be a priest in the Catholic Church and to continue the work of his Son as Teacher, Priest and Shepherd.

"The sacred actions of the Ordination Liturgy seek to convey to us what are the great truths concerning the sacred Order of Priesthood. Mere words are unable to do this."

The Rite of Ordination followed which began with Andrew prostrating himself on the ground before the altar - symbolically abandoning himself to God's power and will. There followed the Laying on of Hands by Bishop Alan and all the priests present and the prayer of Consecration.

He was then clothed in the sacred vestments of priesthood and his hands were anointed with the sacred Oil of Chrism.

Finally, a paten with the Host and a chalice containing wine mixed with a drop of water were presented to Fr Andrew which were then used for the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass which followed.

Fr Andrew then con-celebrated Mass for the first time with Bishop Alan.

Afterwards friends, family, university students and priests enjoyed refreshments in the Cathedral Narthex.