A seminarian in the United States was ordained as a priest in a hospital bed only two days before dying of colon cancer.
Fr William Carmona, 51, from Columbia, was ordained by Bishop David Choby of Nashville at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital Northwest in San Antonio, Texas, on September 8.
Fr Carmona, who died on September 10, was a fourth year seminarian studying at San Antonio’s Assumption Seminary.
Planning to ultimately serve as a priest in the Diocese of Nashville, he was preparing to be ordained as a transitional deacon.
Plans changed, however, due to his battle with colon cancer.
Fr Carmona lay in his hospital bed during the ordination, surrounded by priests, fellow seminarians, and many friends, the San Antonio archdiocese said.
The bishop laid hands on him, he was given a stole, and his hands were anointed with sacred oils.
His sister, Miriam Carmona, said the family is experiencing both grief and hope.
She recalled seeing her brother last December when he came to visit.
“He was thin, eating very, very little, but never complained,” she said.
“He was always abandoned to God’s will.”
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