NEIL PARADO studied at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md., U.S.A. from 1953-60, where he obtained B.A. in Philosophy and the Doctorate in Sacred Theology. On May 23, 1959, he was ordained priest by Archbishop Francis Keough of Baltimore.Then from 1960-62 he studied at the Pastoral Institute of the Lateran University in Rome, Italy, where he was awarded the Diploma "Peritus De Re Pastorali".
Father Neil then returned to the Philippines where he worked in the Diocese of Palo, Leyte. Archbishop Lino Gonzaga appointed him Pastor of Tanauan Parish for one year, and then Pastor of Tacloban City for eleven years.On April 2, 1972, Archbishop Manuel Salvador invested him as Domestic Prelate . Then in July'74 Cardinal Julio Rosales appointed him Assistant Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
In 1975 Msgr. Neil migrated to Canada and was sponsored by Archbishop Antoine Hacault to work at Holy Cross Parish in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface., where he was assigned as Director of the ADULT RELIGION COURSE. He also worked at St. Edward's Parish under Cardinal George Flahiff. In November of 1978 he was recalled by Archbishop Cipriano Urgel to assume the position of Vicar General in Palo, Leyte.
However, in June of 1979, after having consulted his spiritual director Msgr. Neil came to realize that he had not been blessed by God with His precious gift of celibacy. So he returned to Winnipeg and decided to marry Gregoria Gobenciong, after having been dispensed from his promise of celibacy( but not from the priesthood, because "once a priest, always a priest "), by Pope John Paul II, Father Korewa and Father Hafichuk solemnized their marriage at the Immaculate Conception Church in Fisher Branch, Mb.
Rev. Dr. Neil and Gory are now retired public school teachers and are actively working to promote the MARRIED CATHOLIC PRIESTS' MOVEMENT.
On Feb. 17, 1996, Neil and Gory founded "OUR REV APOSTOLATE" TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS THAT MARRIED ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT, AND DESERVE JUSTICE AND MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH.
In July, 1996, they represented the Philippines at the 5th WORLD CONGRESS in Brasilia, Brazil. In July, 1999, Neil attended the 6th WORLD CONGRESS in Atlanta, U.S.A., to represent ALPHAMEGA CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF MANITOBA , a member of CORPUS CANADA. |
