The number of Catholic priests serving in the Diocese of Nsukka (Nigeria) has exceeded 400 after the ordination of 23 new priests, on August 10.
In a message delivered at the end of the ordination, the Bishop of Nsukka, Msgr. Godfrey Igwebuike Onahexpressed his gratitude and joy for the growing number of priests serving in his diocese.
Receive the main news from ACI Prensa by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channels today:
“I must apologize to all the priests of Nsukka who are not at the shrine. With today’s ordination, we are now 417 priests in this diocese,” said Bishop Onah during Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Teresa. “Now you understand why some of you for the last 10 years have not been able to lay hands on your newly ordained brothers, because if all of us laid hands, we would still be doing it.”
“But in the future, we will find a way to allow as many of you as possible to exercise this gesture,” the bishop said.
In his homily, Bishop Onah gave a warning about the use of social media platforms in a priest’s ministry.
“There are certain places priests should avoid, certain websites they should not visit, certain apps they should not download, and certain networks they should not interact with. Even your clothing should reflect your sacred calling,” he said.
“As priests, you must discern where you go and what you do. “They must remember that they are clay vessels that carry a precious treasure, and they must guard it carefully,” the bishop added.
Bishop Onah reiterated the importance of priests living lives that reflect their sacred calling, not only in their ministry, but also in all aspects of their behavior.
“Priests are called to be between the people and God, to offer prayers on behalf of the Church and to transmit God’s message to the people. Although the temptation for priests to become activists is great, their true vocation is to be men of prayer, guiding the faithful in holiness,” the prelate said.
Additionally, he highlighted the global context of his calling, reminding the 23 deacons who were ordained to the priesthood that they belong not only to their local diocese, but to the Catholic Church around the world.
“Although each priest is ordained for a particular diocese or religious institute, each priest belongs to the Catholic Church and to the entire world. From this moment on, his personal ideas, his interests and his charisma will be put at the service of the Word of God,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the prophet Jeremiah, who was called to prophesy to the nations, Bishop Onah urged the new priests to see their mission as one that transcends borders and to be prepared for the difficult tasks ahead.
“As long as you are faithful to this mission, you have nothing to fear. In Christ, the roles of pastor, priest and prophet are combined, and his brothers and friends are now assuming this responsibility,” the bishop said.
Bishop Onah, who has led the Nigerian diocese of Nsukka since July 2013, told the newly ordained priests that they are now “deeply transformed and configured to Christ.” He reminded them that the grace they receive through ordination equips them to fulfill their sacred duties.
The new priests “will lead people away from sin through baptism, reconcile them through the sacrament of penance, strengthen them in Christ through the Eucharist, and heal them through the sacrament of anointing. Satan will not be pleased with his work. Therefore, they must be cautious, aware of their fragility as clay vessels and how precious the treasure they carry is,” said Bishop Onah.
The prelate told the 23 new priests that they are not the “result of an accident, no matter what science suggests. “Every human being is a unique expression of God’s love, unique and irreplaceable.”
Bishop Onah asked the faithful to support the new priests with prayers and allow them to exercise their ministry without interference.
He also expressed his gratitude to “the families, the parish communities and all those who contributed to the formation of these young people, recognizing the collective effort required to prepare them for their lifelong commitment.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Jude Atemanke
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist passionate about the communication of the Catholic Church. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Jude currently works as a journalist for ACI Africa.