By PJ Usanga
13th day of December is marked by great transformation and rebirth in the Life of the church and even in the larger society. It is a day designed by nature to favor positive change and reformation.
It was on this day in 1545, that theย Council of Trent, the 19th ecumenical council of theย Roman Catholic Church, opened. This was the council that revitalized the church in many parts of Europe after the Protestantย Reformation.
On this same day in 1992, a young Surulere-born Deacon laid down in front of his Bishop to summit his life and all to the service of God and humanity in the Archdiocese of Lagos. Over the last three decades, the young pastor has spread his pastoral embrace beyond the meadows of Lagos, to the pastures of Nigeria. Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, a pastor with the heart of a Lamb, in the tapestry of his ministerial blessings, is affectionately woven as “Padre Mike.”
Padre Mike, who was born on May 17, 1968 in Surulere, Lagos, has risen in service and engagement to the church and humanity. His stream of accomplishments, not only waters the presbyterial cup, but also feeds the societal plate.
A priest by every sense of that calling, Padre Mike is decorated as one of the poster boys of Bodija, who obtained his Philosophical and Theological degrees from the eminent Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Ibadan. As a staunch media and communication enthusiast, he holds a PhD in Media and Communication studies from the prestigious Center for Study of African Culture and Communication (CESACC) of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
As a terrestrial cum celestial enunciator of truth, Padre Mike is a vibrant and fearless preacher, an eloquent, gifted motivational speaker, and an effective builder of men. An ardent lover of the church with passion for evangelization, he is the initiator, builder and Director of the Center for Media Development (CMD), a media initiative of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
As a shepherd with the true โsmell of his sheep,โ the 56-year-old priest has served as a Parish Priest of several parishes in Lagos and Administrator of Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. He is one-time Director of the Lay Apostolate Center and Chaplain to the Lagos Archdiocesan Laity, and a former member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Lagos.
A towering colossus of trust, with an unshakeable bastion of confidence and wisdom, Fr. Mike is a teacher cum educator with a heart of unfailing patience, and a luminous source of compassion. A pioneer Secretary General of SIGNIS-Nigeria, a member of the World Catholic Radio and an Associate Member of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He is also a creative artist, a broadcaster and a programme/music producer and a musician.
When the history of the National Directorate of Social Communications, CSN, will be written in a compendium, one of the commendable and most read pages will be the time and tenure of Padre as its Director. His innate zeal and professional expertise in repositioning the communication hub of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), redefined the ideals and potentials of communication in evangelization and faith building.
As a ‘fisher of men’ guided by the potter’s hand, adds another feather to his biretta this day, we are confident that his inspired actions will announce the church to the world in many dimensions, benefits to humanity and bring salvation to the souls of men.
Happy 32nd Priestly Anniversary Padre!
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