The Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Adewale Martins has called on well-meaning Nigerians especially religious leaders to be more charitable in reaching out to Nigerians in distress.
According to the Archbishop, the rate of suffering among Nigerians needs urgent attention, calling on both the government and leaders at all levels to do something to arrest the situation.
He was speaking in Lagos during the celebration of his 40th priestly and 25th Episcopal ordination anniversaries.
’’Religious leaders should be charitable and ensure that they take care of so many people in distress out of poverty.’’ He expressed.
It was a double celebration for the Archbishop who celebrated with four of his classmates including Very Rev. Monsignors Edmond Babashay Akpala, Jerome Gbenga Odunkan, Michael Femi Akintolu and Alphonsus Iweanya Ania.
The Archbishop who was thankful to God for the grace that has brought him this far, also advised priests to remain steadfast and maintain the dignity of the priesthood they bear.
’’ Let these Chasubles continue to lead us so that we will never forget the dignity of the priesthood that we bear. We should continue to pray that we do not allow the years of service to God diminish the ideals in our mind,’’ he advised.
In his homily, the Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu also harped on the need to be more compassionate to Nigerians and alleviate them from abject poverty.
’’As Priests, our primary calling is to minister to the spiritual needs of our people but that does not mean that we should stand aloof while our fellow citizens groan in abject destitution and crushing poverty. We must be our brother’s keepers,’’ he reiterated.
Highlights of the event were goodwill messages from the Clergymen and well-wishers and cultural displays.
Dominica Nwabufo
