‘Priesthood not a career, money making venture,’ Archbishop Kaigama admonishes priests at Chrism Mass

Admonishing priests on the virtues of selflessness and dedication to the priestly call and duty, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama advised that the priestly ministry is both a privilege and an opportunity of grace that cannot be measured by any human means. He advised priests not lust after money or material gains, but to understand that the priesthood is a divine vocation and not a money making venture or a career to pursue.

“Being priests for God and His people is both a privilege and an opportunity of grace that cannot be measured by any human means as it is not a career. God Himself pays the priest’s salary when He promised to reward them faithfully.”

The Prelate who made the admonition in his homily at the 2024 Chrism Mass of the Archdiocese of Abuja at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, urged priests not to become attention-seekers, or chase after worldly rewards, but to lead the flock entrusted to their care to Christ.

“The Lord is inviting us priests to draw closer to receive the needed grace and strength to serve the people of God. Not to become attention-seekers, or of worldly rewards but to lead those entrusted to our care to Christ.”

Explaining that the Chrism Mass celebrates the gift and ministry of the ministerial priesthood, the Cleric disclosed that faithfully living out their priestly vocation can be characterised by some form of exhaustion and fatigue. He therefore emphasized that the priest also needs to get some strength to face these tasks and to serve, not only through prayer, the sacraments or keeping good social relationships, but also by a renewal of his priestly commitment.

While thanking all priests for all that they do in the service of God and His Church, the Chief Shepherd, appealed to the lay people to continuously pray for and support their priests. He prayed for the grace of God upon the lives of priests who are betrayed by their own weaknesses. He further prayed that they (priests) may draw the breath of new life from the passion and death of God’s Only Begotten Son.