Father António Jorge Correia de Oliveira took office, this Sunday, as parish priest of São Martinho de Frazão, in a celebration held at 11:30 am, at the local Mother Church. The ceremony was presided over by the vicar of the Vara and parish priest of Paços de Ferreira, Father José Augusto Ferreira, and gathered the parish community, representatives of the Board and Assembly of the Parish of Frazão, the City Council and Municipal Assembly of Paços de Ferreira, local associations, Church movements and numerous faithful.
In his first words directed to the community, the new parish priest quoted Saint Augustine — "For you I am a bishop; with you I am a Christian" — to present the way he intends to exercise his ministry in Frazão. "With everyone and like everyone I will be a Christian; for you and with you I will be a priest," he stated, defending a ministry based on closeness and encounter.
Father António Jorge Correia de Oliveira also expressed the intention to get to know parishioners who could not participate in the Eucharist, namely due to age, illness or distance from community life. He guaranteed that he will seek to be close to everyone, excluding no one. To the representatives of the authorities, associations and movements, he ensured availability to collaborate "for the good of these lands, of hard-working people" and to reinforce the link between the parish and local institutions.
The taking of office marks the beginning of a new pastoral stage at the Parish of São Martinho de Frazão. At the end of the ceremony, the new parish priest left a request to the parishioners: "Pray for me."
