ELLSWORTH – With ceremony and celebration, and little of the controversy that has surrounded it in the past few months, the Roman Catholic Church ordained a priest here this weekend.

On Saturday, Bishop Joseph J. Gerry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, led the congregation in the liturgy of ordination at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the home church of the newly ordained priest, the Rev. Tom Farley.

With the laying on of hands and an embrace, the priests in attendance welcomed Farley into their brotherhood, and parishioners signified their approval with applause.

Coincidentally, the only ordination of a priest in Maine this year took place in a church where, just weeks ago, the parish priest was removed from his charge after the diocese received a credible allegation of sexual abuse that had occurred 25 years ago.

Gerry made no reference to the recent sex scandals that have forced him to remove three priests from churches in Maine this year, among them Father Leo James Michaud, who until this month had served the Ellsworth church.

The decision to remove Michaud has saddened most parishioners and angered some, including those who have written letters to the editors of area newspapers and directly to the bishop. But those feelings were set aside for a few hours Saturday so that family and friends, who until then had been his fellow parishioners, could celebrate Farley’s entry into the priesthood.

That was how it should be, said Matt Murphy, a parishioner and member of the church’s pastoral council. Church officials had urged parishioners to withhold criticism of the bishop during his visit for the ordination.

“Whenever a major milestone occurs in a person’s life and a community’s life, it is a good thing,” Murphy said. “Anyone who knows him certainly wanted this day to be a happy one for Father Tom Farley. This has been a great day for him and for all of us here.”

The only hint of discord appeared in the form of yellow ribbons handed out by greeters to those attending the service.

“We need a little sunshine,” said one greeter.

Although many parishioners were upset with the bishop’s decision to remove Father Michaud, all agreed that the ordination should be a time of celebration for the parish, Murphy said. The ribbons, however, were a small reminder of solidarity during this difficult time, he said.

“It would be wrong to say that we haven’t been struggling with this issue,” Murphy said. “The ribbon represents solidarity for the parishioners through that struggle. And for many, it represents solidarity with Father Jim. I’m sure this has been hard for him as well.”

It was “pure coincidence” that Farley’s ordination took place against the backdrop of scandal, Murphy said, noting that the ceremony had been scheduled long before the controversy had erupted. Farley, too, said that his journey to the priesthood began almost three years ago. A lay person himself for the first 68 years of his life, Farley said he found strength from parishioners in dealing with the controversy.

“It is difficult to face this thing,” he said. “I’ve found strength in the lay people who come to church on a regular basis in the face of this scandal. That witness is a powerful witness. It gives me hope in my priesthood.”

Farley did say that Father Michaud, who had been his parish priest for a number of years, was helpful as he prepared for the priesthood.

Farley met with reporters after his ordination and said the ceremony was “exhilarating.”

“It was an awesome experience,” he said. “My feet are back on the ground now that the ceremony is over.”

The new priest joked after being addressed by his new title.

“When he says ‘Father Farley,’ it just blows my mind. Who’s he talking to?” he said.

Meanwhile, the church continues to operate under the guidance of the Rev. Jim Gower, appointed by the bishop as interim pastor for the church. A permanent pastor will be appointed this summer at which time Father Farley also will be appointed.

The church council has taken no formal action in response to the removal of Father Michaud, Murphy said.

“We’re all still sorting this through,” he said. “What the council has done has been largely internal. We’ve been holding talking circles for parishioners to share with each other. In times of crisis, the best thing we can do is talk to each other.”