Abuja CBCN Plenary: We must bend our heads in humility, Bishop Umoren admonishes fellow Bishops

By CSN Media

The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Anselm Umoren, has admonished his fellow Bishops in Nigeria to emulate the virtue of the Blessed Virgin Mary by always bending their heads in humility and in gratitude for the overwhelming love of God upon their lives and vocation.

Alluding to the examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Joseph, her spouse, Bishop Umoren gave the admonition in his homily during the Mass today Friday September 8, at the ongoing second 2023 plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja, challenging his brother bishops to look back at where they were coming from, in order to appreciate how God has been gracious to them in spite of their unworthiness.

“We did not come from royal lineages; there was no divinity in our stars or genealogies; neither did our educational qualification or social standing privilege us for divine election. God simply chose us out of his own volition.

“When we look at where we are coming from, we must inquire like the Psalmist, ‘Who am I, Lord, that you are mindful of me?’ (Ps. 8.4). Like David, the man after God’s own heart, we must bend our heads in humility, and with gratitude for the overwhelming grace of God in our lives ask: ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?’ (2 Sam. 7.18).

Like Mary, we must address a spirit-filled song of praise to Him, for he has looked upon us his lowly ones; he has done great things for us, and holy is his Name (cf. Lk. 1.48, 49),” he advised.

The homilist, also the Chief Celebrant at the Mass which was celebrated in commemoration of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, intimated the bishops that the celebration is an encouragement to them that God has not given up on them no matter the challenges they are going through, but that God has through the celebration, offered them an opportunity for renewal and a fresh beginning.

“Therefore, we cannot afford not to turn to her (Mary) for guidance and direction in living out our divine vocation before God and his church in the world, when we first heard the tiny little voice that said to each one of us, ‘follow me’,” he further admonished.

The ongoing conference has witnessed the arrival of about 60 bishops already, who will later meet with the Major Superiors of Religious Congregations in Nigeria and also hold a group discussion with them, to be followed by reports and resolutions before closing for the day.