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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
No fewer than 13 new Catholic Priests have been added to the number of Catholic Priests serving in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja by virtue of priestly ordination.
The new catholic Priests are Revs. Benjamin Izunna Okenwa; Charles Chinaza Uwaezuoke; Frankline Obinna Inegbu; Henry Ogbonna Onah; Hillary Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Kelvin Sunday Nnaji; Moses John Ameh; Paul Zirra Aiden; Peter John Odoh; Simeon Uchenna Okalla; Solomon Danladi Shekwoniyiya; Sunday Paul Iorshe; and Thomas Shedrach Afi.
Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, who ordained the new Priests at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, in Abuja, on Saturday, congratulated the new Priests for the privilege of being called to serve in Vineyard of the Lord.
He said: “While we are singing praises to the Lord for the increase, we must admit that the harvest is still plentiful but the labourers are few in number. We should, therefore, ask for the production of more Priests because there is still a lot of ground to cover. But we should ask for Priests that are ready to give their all to serve God and humanity without counting the cost, and not putting themselves first.
“It’s our desire to produce Priests that would serve like Jesus, by being bringers of good news and harbingers of hope to the poor, the sick, the prisoners, those displaced from their homes, victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, banditry, kidnapping and economic strangulation.”
He reminded the newly ordained Priests that priesthood was a divine call to share in a more intimate manner the priesthood of Christ, adding that Priests were called by God to live lives of service to others; to be incredible shepherds ready to take on the world.
His words: “Like Christ, a Priest is called to a life of self-giving and self-emptying, (kenosis); called to be a fool for Christ; called to count all as nothing. No wonder, Christ told His Apostles to go on a mission without worrying about money, sandals, etc.
“If a priest is faithful in service, he will neither lack salvation in heaven nor what will make his life comfortable on earth. But when a priest’s eyes are focused only on how much he is to make using his priestly office and how much property to acquire, the material things would make the priest unsettled, unhappy, unfulfilled, discontented and miserable because the moment he feels he does not get these material things he becomes bitter, impatient and hostile to people and even to his superior or Bishop.
“The Book of Hebrews reminded us that every high Priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God. Jesus in St. John’s Gospel called Priests to love Him by serving others, and not behave like earthly rulers but as those who serve.”
Archbishop Kaigama, therefore, reminded the newly ordained Priest of Christ’s mission of saving the lost, hence a Priest could be better described as a “soul winner” not as a “breadwinner”.
“We need Priests who truly make sacrifices for the salvation of souls and the progress of the Archdiocese and not their interests or those of their friends and families. We need priests who can serve happily and with great satisfaction both in the urban churches and in the many rural churches.
“As you strive to fulfill your vocation, I urge you to trust in God’s providence. I pray that the grace to rekindle daily, the gift of God you have received with the laying-on of hands sustain you,” he said.
