By Ruben Mario Brodrick
It was indeed a harvest of clerical celebrations in the Catholic Diocese of Warri as 10 and 17 young men were raised to the order of Priesthood and the Diaconate respectively.
The Liturgical Celebrations which also featured the 25th Silver Jubilee of 8 diocesan priests on the Solemn feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, had the Apostolic Administrator of Warri and Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev Augustine Obiora Akubeze as the Ordaining Prelate.
Earlier in his homily, Archbishop Akubeze called on all members of Christ faithful to always plight to Mary for protection adding that it was imperative for all Catholics to allow the Blessed Virgin Mary to be taken to their homes
Akubeze who emphasized on the importance of the gift of the priesthood, further clarified that “ever candidate for the priesthood is always a deacon and remains a deacon,” pointing out that just as deacons are ordained for service, priests are also called to serve the faithful God has entrusted to them.
Continuing he said, “my dear priests (newly ordained) do not think you have arrived; you only arrive when you get to heaven” as he urged them to embrace the vocation (to the priesthood) with a life of holiness.
“You must avoid scandal”… Calling on them to ensure they are mindful of what they say as priests: “priests don’t talk anyhow” he warned.
On the part of the lay faithful, the chief shepherd restate the need for them to always pray for their priests since they are also human like them.
He later called on the laity not to see their priests as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) advising that anything the priests can afford to give to them, they should accept without extra demands.
Below are scenes from the event:
