By Ruben-Mario Brodrick
It was a moment of joy and gratitude by the Catholic Diocese of Warri as the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev John Okeoghene Afarhea and other Christ faithful during the Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, witnessed four other Liturgical celebrations, namely, Priestly Ordination, Monsignori Investiture, Closing Ceremony of the Year of St Joseph, as well as the Diocesan Phase of the Synod of Bishops;(2021-2023).
The Pentagonal events were carried out meticulously, as the Local Ordinary took his time to preside over the various liturgical ceremonies, while explaining the significance of each. Amongst those invested as the Pope’s Chaplains included: Rt. Rev Monsignori Daniel Ofuya, Augustine Adaka and Clement Ejedegba respectively. While those raised to the Order of Priesthood are, Rev. Fathers. Samuel .O. Emerho, Hilary Okoye, Oshevire Francis, Paul E. Owoaka, Erhue A. Irhifevwe, Osanebi F. James, Collins C. Eme, Agbakah O. Emmanuel, Anthony O. Ohwota and Iyah E. Wilson respectively.
Earlier in his homily, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, he said that the celebration of the solemn feast of the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary given in the magnificat which says, “behold all generations will call me blessed was fulfilled when the Catholic Church declared four dogmas of faith about her; her immaculate conception, her perpetual virginity, her divine maternity and her assumption into heaven after her earthly life.”
The Bishop added that, while other humans were birthed with the original sin, Mary was conceived full of grace, completely totally free from original sin and its attachment. “From the first moment of her conception, Mary was preserved, immune from original sin by the singular grace of God and by the virtue of the Saviour Jesus Christ.”
On the investiture of 3 new Monsignori, Bishop John Afareha had described those invested as Monsignori as “distinguished priests” adding that the last time such ceremony occurred in the diocese was in the year, 2010/2011, while expressing his gratitude to God for the elevation of the “dynamic sons” of the diocese by the Holy Father, as he also prayed that their elevation will further bring more honour to the diocese of Warri.
“It is an honorary title that signifies a priest who has been distinguished and honoured by the pope so what we are doing here is celebrating the honour the pope has given to them for the purposes of the help they have rendered to the church.”
Speaking on the Priestly Ordination, he described the newly ordained as the, “shepherd of the people of God,” “fruits of the parish community of our local Church.” The Local Ordinary further recalled that since the canonical erection of the Diocese, 167 priests have so far been ordained for the Diocese of Warri.
He said, “According to Pope Francis, the priesthood is not a career rather it is a service; It is not a profession, the shepherd of the holy faithful people of God who go sometimes ahead of the flock, sometimes in the middle or behind but always stay with the people of God.”
Continuing, he said, “my dear brothers, you are taking this bold step on the celebration of the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you are to model and pattern your life according to the foot prints of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Your vocation in the priesthood is precious. In a humble and similar way, every priest must aim for a similar identification,” stressing that, the priesthood is a great privilege.
Afareha who formerly declared the year of St Joseph devotion prayer closed called on all parish priests of the various parishes in the diocese to ensured that they “enshrined in your parish list of devotions, the devotion to St Joseph,” pointing out that the “we are not force a devotion on you” if Mary and Jesus is been honoured, the devotion to St Joseph who is the Patron of the family also need to be honoured, saying that the parish is also a family.
Meanwhile, on the inauguration of the Diocesan Phase of Synod of Bishops from December2021-2023, noted that the long period of meetings and decisions to be taken during the period will further help to arrive at some vital decisions that will lead to the Church’s growth.
The five-fold events was well attended by members of Christ faithful from across the Diocese of Warri, as well as Priests and visitors from the Archdiocese of Benin City.
