The Archbishop of the Metropolitan see of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Martins has called on newly ordained priests and deacons to become sources of hope to Nigerians amid economic hardship.
Archbishop Martins gave the charge during a priestly and diaconate ordination of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
At the ceremony, six deacons were ordained priests while 14 seminarians were ordained deacons, bringing the number of newly ordained clergy to 20.
Martins said their calling goes beyond preaching the Gospel, stating that their lives and ministry should give hope to people struggling with realities of the present economic and social situations in the country.
He urged the new clergy to remain faithful to their vocation, live exemplary lives and use their ministry to speak to the conscience of society, including those entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
The Archbishop described the newly ordained as additional labourers being sent into God’s vineyard and expressed gratitude to God for providing more hands to serve the growing pastoral needs of the Church.
“We give thanks to God, the Lord of the harvest, for answering our prayers and sending 20 more labourers into his harvest,” he said.
Martins also used the occasion to speak on the state of the Nigerian economy, saying improvements in macroeconomic indicators should be felt in the daily lives of citizens.
“We hear that macroeconomics is good, but we are waiting for macroeconomics to translate into micro so that life can be a lot better for people,” he said.
READ ALSO: Catholic Archbishop Encourages Women’s Political Participation
He called on the government to sustain efforts aimed at improving the economy and urged state and local governments to effectively utilise resources available to them to improve the welfare of citizens.
The Archbishop also encouraged citizens not to become discouraged with the democratic process ahead of the 2027 general election.
He urged eligible Nigerians to remain engaged and exercise their voting rights according to their conscience.
For the new priests and deacons, Martins stressed that their ministry was beginning at a period when many people were searching for hope and reassurance.
He urged them to remain joyful and committed to their vocation while making their presence and ministry a source of encouragement to the people entrusted to their pastoral care.
The ordination adds six priests to the Catholic fold, they are: Rev. Peter Sewanu Mokun, Rev. John Paul Nwabuisi, Rev. Jerome Anozie, Rev. Morris Mordi, Rev. Joshua Fipiade, Rev. John Odika and14 deacons.
