Bishop Earl Fernandes ordained two men to the priesthood Saturday, Fathers Kennedy Ofezu and Anthony Whalen.
The Mass of Ordination to the Order of Presbyter was celebrated by Bishop Fernandes at Columbus St. Catharine of Siena Church. The bishop was joined by many priests and deacons of the diocese, including Bishop Emeritus James Griffin. Clergy also attended from Mount St. Mary Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati.
Father Ofezu completed his priestly formation earlier this year at the Cincinnati seminary, and Father Whalen studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.
“At your ‘mature’ ages, you cannot say with Jeremiah, ‘I am too young!’” Bishop Fernandes said jokingly in his homily, referencing the Mass’ first reading. “Rather, having promised respect and obedience ‘to whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.’” (Jeremiah 1: 4-9)
Fathers Whalen, 48, and Ofezu, 35, are older than several of the diocese’s seminarians, many of whom entered post-high school and college.
The two men each had unique and unexpected journeys that resulted in ordination as priests this weekend.
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Father Ofezu, a native of Uganda, came to the United States in 2023 to study for the Diocese of Columbus at the invitation of Bishop Fernandes. Father Ofezu originally planned to be a missionary priest. He was in formation with a religious order from the Philippines until the community founder’s untimely death resulted in no path forward for the community.
He connected with a friend from Cincinnati, where Bishop Fernandes served as priest prior to his ordination. Father Ofezu was introduced to the bishop, who had recently been assigned to Columbus, and was accepted for priestly formation for the diocese.
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Father Whalen, who hails from Columbus’ south end, had worked as a funeral director, was a member of the U.S. Air Force and served as executive director of cemeteries for the U.S. Navy. He grew up attending Columbus St. Leo Church, now an oratory. His family relocated to Texas, where he worked before subsequent moves to Virginia and Maryland.
He began priestly studies for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and transferred to Columbus in 2023 after discerning he should return to his home diocese.
An October priesthood ordination was a rare occurrence for the diocese.
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Fathers Ofezu and Whalen were ordained to the Order of the Diaconate in March. They then began the vocational synthesis stage of seminary. They served in a parish for approximately six months between their diaconate and priesthood ordinations.
“Both (Father) Anthony Whalen and (Father) Kennedy Ofezu were on non-traditional tracks,” explained Father William Hahn, vicar general and director of priestly life.
“Since the Church is moving to a formation structure that includes a vocational synthesis stage, we figured this would be a good opportunity to try the new model that will become more normal for our guys in a few years.”
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Father Michael Haemmerle, director of priestly vocations for the Columbus diocese, testified during the ordination Mass that the men had been found worthy for the ministry to which they would be ordained.
After the litany of supplication, during which the priestly candidates laid prostrate before the altar and the congregation implored the intercession of the saints, Bishop Fernandes raised the men to the Order of Presbyter.
During the laying on of hands, an ancient apostolic gesture of ordination, the bishop placed his hands on the heads of the elect and invoked the Holy Spirit. He then offered a prayer of ordination, by which the men were ordained priests.
The ordination Mass featured music by Dr. Richard Fitzgerald, the diocese’s director of music, and the Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral Choir.
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The Swahili Community Choir also provided ethnic music for the Mass. Swahili is spoken in several east African countries, including Father Ofezu’s native Uganda.
In his homily, Bishop Fernandes encouraged the men to be examples to the flock, the people, many of whom gathered at St. Catharine of Siena Church to be part of the ordination Mass. He also urged them, like the Good Shepherd, to seek out the lost, those who have strayed from the Church.
“It is not easy work to go after the lost or straying sheep or to bind up the hurting or wounded ones,” the bishop acknowledged. “Nevertheless, if you are faithful to the mission, when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
He also reminded the men that their ministry is one of sacrifice. As priests, they will be called to endure suffering and witness to Christ Crucified.
“As deacons you lived the charism of service, but as priest,” Bishop Fernandes encouraged, “you must exercise the humility of the servant who makes himself the last and slave of all.”
Announcements of parish assignments for Fathers Ofezu and Whalen will be forthcoming.