“Lumen Christi Television is helping people draw closer to God”  – Archbishop Alfred Martins

“Lumen Christi Television is helping people draw closer to God”  – Archbishop Alfred Martins

By Rachel Kogi, CSN

The Metropolitan of the See of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, was at the Lumen Christi Television Network (LCTN) facility on Saturday April 9, 2022 to bless and commission the Retreat and Media Centre.

Present with the Archbishop at this epoch-making ceremony, were the Episcopal Vicar of Lekki Region, Very Rev. Msgr. Francis Ogunmodede, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi, the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, the Director of  Social Communications for Lagos Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the Director of Lux Terra Center, Very Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, a host of Monsignors and 23 priests, as well as many Reverend Sisters representing different congregations. There were also representatives of the Archdiocesan leadership of the Laity, the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), the Papal Knights & Dames, Knights of St. Mulumba, Christian Mothers and a number of practitioners in the media industry.

In his homily at the Holy Mass, Archbishop Martins commended the efforts and generosity of the Founder/CEO of LCTN, Sir Robert Soji Olagunju, in making available the media facility for the propagation and development of the Catholic faith. Recalling the tremendous role that the TV station played during the COVID-19 lockdown, he remarked that then and now “Lumen Christi TV is helping people to draw closer to God through the programmes they broadcast. I urge you to carry on this task to the glory of God.”

The Chief Shepherd noted that “the event of today is another initiative to support the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of individuals and groups, to connect with God.” Relating to Mk. 6ff, he affirmed that “Nigerians are facing many hardships, physically and emotionally. There is therefore a great need for people to withdraw in order to rest and reconnect with God.” “The facility we bless today provides a place to reflect on life, plan the future and reconnect with God, away from the deafening noise around us”, he said.

Furthermore, the prelate admonished against the obsessive engagement with smartphones and social media use as a whole, advising the people to seek and cherish moments of silence. “Do not be afraid of silence, for it was in the silent gentle breeze that Elijah encountered God. Our Church makes provision for silence through the practice of ‘examination of conscience’ at the end of each day. We must create time for silence, for God is present in those moments.”

In his remark, the National Director of Social Communications, Fr. Michael Umoh, on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), thanked Archbishop Alfred Martins for creating a very conducive environment for development of media tools and the advancement of the media apostolate in Lagos Archdiocese. He especially thanked the Archbishop for the enormous support and encouragement he accords Sir Soji Olagunju in his media initiative. The National Director also conveyed the warm regards of the Catholic Bishops to the Founder/CEO of LCTN for his generosity in providing the media facility for use in advancing the Kingdom of Christ.

Fr. Umoh remarked that the Church in Nigeria is in dire need of more media channels like LCTN, dedicated to the propagation of the faith, and called on everyone to collaborate with and support Sir Olagunju’s initiative.

Many Bishops who could not attend the ceremony sent goodwill messages, while a few others sent representatives. Goodwill messages were received from Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), the President of Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, EWTN family, Knights of St. Mulumba, SERRA club, and many parishes in Lagos Archdiocese.

Sir Olagunju expressed gratitude to God for his mercies and providence in the past years. He appreciated Archbishop Martins for his tremendous support and guidance, and thanked all those present.