Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
The Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode became a focal point of spiritual renewal and international communion last weekend as it hosted the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, for a landmark pastoral visit. The visit, which also featured the ordination of new priests on Saturday, April 11, 2026, was described by church leaders as a “new springtime” for the faith in the diocese.
The weekend’s center-point was the Mass of Ordination held at the Christ the King Catholic College, Odolewu. In a mid-event briefing, the Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina, expressed profound joy at the “fresh infusion of hope” brought by the new ordinands.
”These men are not just additions to our clerical ranks; they are a fresh infusion of hope and service for our community,” Bishop Adesina stated. He emphasised that the role of the new priests extends beyond the altar, serving the wider society as counsellors and peace-builders in a time of “economic and social shifts.”
As the representative of Pope Leo XIV in Nigeria, the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, gave a message of “Renewal in Truth and Charity” to the people of God in Ijebu-Ode diocese. Addressing the press at the Bishop’s Court, the Nuncio highlighted the Pope’s vision for a Church that is both spiritually fervent and intellectually grounded.
Offering a specific charge to the newly ordained, Archbishop Crotty said: “Pope Leo XIV has often emphasised that the priesthood is not a career of prestige, but a life of sacrificial service… He charges you to be ‘Men of the Altar and Men of the People.'”
Beyond the religious rites, the Nuncio’s visit served to reinforce the Church’s commitment to Nigerian stability. The Papal envoy noted that the Holy See follows Nigerian developments with “great interest and constant prayer,” suggesting that the moral formation provided by the Church is essential to the nation’s peace.
Bishop Adesina echoed this sentiment, describing the Church as a “steady anchor” for Nigeria. He noted that the Nuncio’s interactions with the Laity, Religious, and Youth have energised the diocese, and reassured them that they are a vital part of a global family.
The historic visit is also focused on heritage and the future of the diocese as the Nuncio officially commissioned the Diocesan Museum, highlighting the deep-rooted traditions of the Ijebu people. There were pastoral engagements at diocesan schools, where the Nuncio met with students to strengthen the Church’s educational institutions.
In his remark, Archbishop Crotty praised the “impeccable organisation” and the warmth of the people of Ijebu-Ode, promising to relate the story of their hospitality to Vatican.
