Sweden´s First Filipino Parish Priest

Ambassador Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs the installation of Father Gabriel Baldostamon as Parish Priest of the Saint Nicolai Church in Linköping , Sweden on 10 January 2010.  He is the first Filipino Ramon Catholic cleric to have the distinct honor and privilege of heading a Swedish parish.  

The ceremonial investiture of Father Baldostamon was officiated by Monsignor Mirojan Dudek during a well-attended Sunday mass celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ.  The mass was co-celebrated by Father John Mc Cormode and Deacon Karl-Erijk Jarerot.  

During lunch which followed the mass, Saint Nicolai parishioners congratulated Father Baldostamon, assuring him of their support.  Speaking on behalf of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Community, Ambassador Collinson expressed pride at a historical first and stated confidence in Father Baldostamon’s ability to renew and strengthen the Faith, particularly in the context of increasing secularism in Europe .

Father Baldostamon hails from Marbel, South Catobato and has been serving the Filipino Community in Sweden for several years.  As head of the Saint Nicolai parish, he will be attending to the spiritual needs and pastoral formation of the entire Swedish Roman Catholic community in Linköping covering about 2,500 registered members.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\fr gabe 016.jpg  
Monsignor Mirojan Dudek passes on the key of St. Nicolai Church to Father Gabriel Baldostamon.  


Members of the Filipino parishioners of St. Nicolai church in Linköping pose with Father Gabriel Baldostamon
(third person standing behind from the right) at the salo-salo that followed his installation.  

 
Ambassador Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson offers a toast to Father Gabriel Baldostamon (seated second
from left) during lunch following his installation as Parish priest of St. Nicolai Church.  


Shown above (seated from left( are Father John Mc Cormode, Monsignor Mirojan Dudek, Father
Gabriel Baldostamon and Deacon Karl/Erijk Jarerot after the insvestiture ceremony at St. Nicolai church.  


Fr. Gabriel Baldostamon gave a short talk before the members of the Filipino parishioners in Linköping.

 

Ambassador Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson with staff and Filipino  parishioners from Stockholm who attended the official installation of Father Baldostamon.