Invests Three Priests As Monsignors, Ordain Ten To Priesthood
…Says Priesthood Is Not A Carrier
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
The Catholic Church in Warri on Wednesday, December 8, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, had multiple liturgical celebration which includes the inauguration of the diocesan phase of synod of bishops, conferment and investiture of three of her priests as Monsignors, ordination of ten deacons to the Catholic priesthood as well as the celebration of the feast of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and closing of the year of St. Joseph.
Those invested Monsignor’s include Very Rev. Fr’s. Daniel Ofuya, Augustine Adaka and Clement Ejedegba. While those ordained to the celibate Catholic priesthood are Rev’s. Eme Collins, Emerhor Samuel, Hilary Okoye, Oshevire Francis, Paul Owoaka, Wilson Iyah. Others are Rev’s. Anthony Ohwota, Agbakah Emmanuel, Osanebi James and Rev. Erhue Anthony Irhifevwe.
While stressing the importance of service in the church, the Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese and ordaining prelate, Most Rev. John OkeOghene Afareha, disclosed that the title ‘Monsignor’ is a latin word meaning my Lord. He said it is an honorary title that signifies that the priest who is invested with this title has distinguished himself in service to God, to the Church and to mankind.
He disclosed that this honor is not given by the bishop, but by the Pope, adding that even though the title has no distinct functions different from the primary function of the priest, but it signifies that the priest has distinguished himself.
Admonishing the ten deacons to be ordained priests, Most Rev. Afareha noted, that the priesthood is not a carrier but a service. He maintained that as a priest, they must be prayerful as a priest without prayer is powerless. He enjoined them to imbibed the life of obedience, chastity, poverty and faithfulness to their calling.
“Your vocation to the priesthood is precious and you must accompanied this with an attitude of worthy submission to the will of the father”.
Recalling how those ordained priests began the journey since 2011, the bishop stated that though twenty four of them started the journey to the priesthood, but only ten were able to make it to the end because they refused to look back. He urged them to be holy priests who will stick to the Holy Eucharist as source of their strength as the priesthood is a mystery and a great privilege.
Most Rev. Afareha in the words of Pope Francis charged the deacons to stay away from vanity, as the devil enters into your life through the pocket.
He emphasized that the Catholic priesthood is a call to service but not a business venture, and as such, any priest who becomes a business man loose his contact with God and the people.
The Sacred Cathedral was filled to capacity with family members, friends, well wishers and classmates of those ordained from within and outside the Catholic diocese of Warri. Those ordained joined by their families and friends later offered thanksgiving to God.
In a chat, one of the newly ordained priest, Rev. Fr. Eme Collins who spoke on behalf of his brother priests said; the priesthood is just a privilege and honour given by God as no one man takes the honour upon himself. He thanked the bishop of Warri diocese and all those who supported them all through their formation to the priesthood.