A Call to Serve Rooted in Love: Ordination of Rev. Fr. David Tiko Oala, O.Carm

The call to the priesthood is a sacred invitation to serve, deeply rooted in love and in the mission of proclaiming the Word of God to all people. After seventeen years of faithful formation within the Church, Rev. Deacon David Tiko Oala, O.Carm, was ordained to the priesthood in the Carmelite Order.

His Eminence Sir John Cardinal Ribat, MSC, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Port Moresby, lays hands on Rev. Deacon David Tiko Oala, O.Carm, during the Rite of Ordination, invoking the Holy Spirit as he is ordained to the priesthood.

The ordination took place at Mary Queen of the Pacific Parish in Waigani, Port Moresby, and was presided over by His Eminence, Sir John Cardinal Ribat, MSC. This solemn and grace-filled celebration marked a significant milestone not only for Rev. Fr. David, but also for the Carmelite community and the wider Church in Papua New Guinea.

Now a Carmelite priest, Rev. Fr. David Tiko Oala comes from a rich and diverse cultural background, with family roots in New Ireland, Central, East Sepik, and Manus Provinces. He is the second-born child of Mr. Edward Oala and the late Mrs. Hilda Petrus Oala. His journey to the priesthood has been one of dedication, perseverance, and deep faith.

Rev. Fr. David completed his theological studies at the Inter-congregational Theological Centre, graduating in June 2024. He was ordained a deacon on July 27, 2025, in the Philippines, continuing his path of formation and service within the Church.

Reflecting on his ordination, Fr. David noted that this celebration was particularly significant within the Carmelite Order, as it was among the first of its kind to be celebrated in such a communal manner, bringing together parishioners and the wider congregation in a shared spirit of joy and faith. His formation journey was guided and supported by Fr. Jun Advaham and Fr. Edwin Mabago, who accompanied him closely as he discerned and responded faithfully to God’s call.

As part of his pastoral preparation, Rev. Fr. David was assigned to Kuriva Holy Family Parish along the Hiritano Highway in Central Province, where he undertook nine months of pastoral ministry. This experience further shaped his readiness for priestly service and deepened his commitment to shepherding God’s people.

The ordination of Rev. Fr. David stands as a powerful reminder that the journey to the priesthood is not merely a personal calling, but a vocation lived in service, nurtured in community, and sustained by a profound love rooted in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.