For the families gathered at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Ikeja, it was a day of tears, prayers and celebration as six young men were ordained priests and 14 others were ordained deacons, marking a major new chapter in their lives and service to the Catholic Church.
But beyond the joy of the ordination, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, used the occasion to draw attention to the difficult realities facing millions of Nigerians, urging citizens not to withdraw from the democratic process but to actively participate in the 2027 general elections and protect their votes.
In his homily, Archbishop Martins acknowledged the frustration many Nigerians feel about the political system and the imperfections of the electoral process. He, however, warned that abandoning elections because of disappointment could create even greater problems.
“Things may not be working perfectly as we want them to, but capitalising on that to shun the electoral process could cause more danger,” he said.
For the Archbishop, voting is not merely a constitutional right but a civic responsibility. He urged Nigerians, particularly residents of Lagos, to vote and remain vigilant enough to ensure that their votes count.
He noted that when citizens stay away from elections, they surrender an important opportunity to influence who governs them, while leaving vulnerable the possibility of responsible leadership emerging through the ballot.
His message came against the backdrop of economic hardship, hunger, insecurity, kidnapping, poverty and other social challenges affecting families and communities across Nigeria.
Archbishop Martins gave a particularly human picture of the hardship when he recalled seeing people sleeping on a bridge in Lagos.
He cautioned against automatically assuming that everyone living on the streets was there because of drug addiction, noting that some may have been pushed into homelessness by eviction and the destruction or pollution of their homes.
“I am sure that not all of them are victims of drug addiction. Many of them certainly are victims of eviction and the pollution of their homes,” he said.
The Archbishop also spoke about farmers and rural communities whose livelihoods have been disrupted by insecurity and kidnapping for ransom, as well as the wider global challenges of wars, threats of war, natural disasters, flooding and landslides.
Against this backdrop, he told the newly ordained priests and deacons that their ministry must be about bringing hope to people who are searching for direction in difficult times.
“What we celebrate today, dear friends, is the making of men chosen from among others to become witnesses of Christ,” Archbishop Martins said.
He reminded the ordinands that the priesthood and diaconate should not be viewed as positions of privilege, stressing that their vocation is a call to service, humility and responsibility.
Drawing from the biblical account of the Prophet Isaiah’s encounter with God, he urged the new clergy to remember that their calling was not simply a product of personal ability or achievement.
“It is not by any strength that you have that you are here today. Remember that you are beneficiaries of the blessings of God, freely given to you, a constant and divine mercy,” he told them.
He charged them to speak to the consciences of the people, uphold truth, pray constantly and ensure that their lives reflect the message they preach.
For the six newly ordained priests, the day also marked the beginning of a demanding journey of service to God and humanity. Their commitments included celibacy, obedience and respect for the Archbishop and his successors.
Archbishop Martins reminded them that their mission comes at a time when many people are looking to the Church for spiritual and moral guidance.
With Lagos now home to more than 20 million people and about three million Catholics, he described the Archdiocese as a vast field of evangelisation.
“The harvest is rich, but as rich as the harvest is, the labourers are few,” he said, expressing gratitude for the addition of new hands to the work of evangelisation.
While the newly ordained stood at the centre of the celebration, their parents and families also shared in the emotion of the occasion.
Archbishop Martins paid tribute to the parents for the prayers, sacrifices and support that helped nurture their sons’ vocations. He urged them to continue praying for their children while cautioning against placing unnecessary demands on them now that they had become priests.
“The Church appreciates the offering of your service and sacrifice of your sons. Certainly, God will reward you in this world and in the world to come,” he said.
The celebration continued with prayers offered by the newly ordained priests for different groups within the Church.
Rev. Father Morris Chukwunonso Mordi prayed for the Archbishop; Rev. Father Peter Sewanu Mokun prayed for priests and religious; Rev. Father John Emeka Odika prayed for the parents and relatives of the new priests; Rev. Father Jerome Chisom Anozie prayed for their sponsors; Rev. Father Joshua Oluwaseun Fipiade prayed for the ordination committee and members of the Sera Club, while Rev. Father Johnpaul Tobechukwu Nwabuisi prayed for the faithful present.
The Kiss of Peace between Archbishop Martins and the newly ordained priests provided another emotional moment, symbolising their acceptance into the presbyterate and their communion with the Archbishop.
Also present was the Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, who joined Archbishop Martins in laying hands on the new priests and deacons.
The ceremony attracted worshippers, relatives, friends, priests, deacons, religious sisters and other guests from Lagos and beyond.
For the families of the 20 ordinands, the gathering was more than a church ceremony. It was the culmination of years of prayer, sacrifice and preparation—and the beginning of a new journey in which their sons will be called upon to serve communities searching for faith, hope, truth and direction.
The large turnout also caused heavy traffic around the Airport Road and Ikeja axis as members of the Catholic community gathered to witness and celebrate the historic beginning of a new chapter for the 20 ordinands.
By Innocent Onoh
1 comment
Wonderful