A US diocese defies trends and ordains its largest class of Catholic priests in decades
Associated Press
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The Rev. Ricky Malebranche holds the hand of 9-month-old Andres Roman Marquez after baptizing him at St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)The Rev. Mike Sampson gives his first Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington, Va., on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)From left, the Rev. Joesph Connor, the Rev. Tim Banach, the Rev. John Meyerhofer, and the Rev. Mike Sampson, attend rehearsal for their ordination Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Va., on Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)The Rev. Alfredo Tuesta opens the door to the sacristy after a Mass at St. James Catholic Church, Falls Church, Va., on Sunday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)The Rev. Ricky Malebranche, second from left, makes the sign of the cross as he leads prayers before a family meal at his home in Gainesville, Va., on Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)The Rev. Mike Sampson dresses for an evening meditation at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Twelve deacons prostrate in front of the altar at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More during their ordination Mass in Arlington, Va., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)The Rev. Alfredo Tuesta gives his first blessing as a newly ordained priest to Bishop Michael Burbidge, who leads the Diocese of Arlington, at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Va., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)Priests and bishops bless the 12 newly ordained priests during Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Va., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)The Rev. Donald J. Planty, Jr., left, assists the Rev. Tim Banach with a microphone before Banach's first Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington, Va., on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
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The Rev. Ricky Malebranche holds the hand of 9-month-old Andres Roman Marquez after baptizing him at St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)
