By Jude Atemanke
ACI Africa, August 13, 2024 / 6:58 p.m.
The number of Catholic priests in the Nigerian diocese of Nsukka has exceeded 400 following the ordination of 23 new priests on August 10.
In a speech at the end of the ordination, Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah expressed his gratitude and joy at the growing number of priests serving in his diocese.
“I must apologize to all the priests of Nsukka who are not in the shrine. With today’s ordination, we are now 417 priests in this diocese,” Onah said during the Mass at St. Theresa’s Cathedral. “Now you understand why some of you have not been able to lay hands on your newly ordained brothers for the last 10 years, because if we all laid hands on, we would still be doing it.”
“But in the future we will find a way to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to make this gesture,” the bishop said.
In his sermon, Onah warned against the use of social media platforms in the ministry of a priest.
“There are certain places priests must avoid, certain websites they must not visit, certain apps they must not download and certain networks they must not engage with. Even their clothing must reflect their holy calling,” he said.
“As priests, they must think carefully about where they go and what they do. They must be aware that they are earthen vessels carrying a precious treasure and they must guard it carefully,” the bishop added.
Onah reiterated the importance of priests living lives that reflected their sacred calling, not only in their office but also in all aspects of their conduct.
“Priests are called to stand between men and God, to pray in the name of the Church and to convey God’s message to the people. Although the temptation is great for priests to become activists, their true calling is to be men of prayer and to lead the faithful in holiness,” Onah said.
He also emphasized the global context of their vocation, reminding the 23 deacons who were ordained priests that they belong not only to their local diocese, but to the worldwide Catholic Church.
“Although each priest is ordained for a particular diocese or religious institute, each priest belongs to the Catholic Church and to the whole world. From that moment on, their personal ideas, interests and charisms are placed at the service of the Word of God,” he said.
Drawing parallels to the prophet Jeremiah, who was called to prophesy to the nations, Onah urged the new priests to view their mission as transnational and to be prepared for the difficult tasks that lay ahead.
“As long as you remain faithful to this mission, you have no need to be afraid. In Christ, the roles of shepherd, priest and prophet are united, and your brothers and friends are now assuming this responsibility,” Onah said.
Onah, who has led the Nigerian diocese of Nsukka since July 2013, told the newly ordained priests that they were now “profoundly transformed and Christ-like,” and reminded them that the grace they receive through ordination enables them to carry out their sacred duties.
“They will turn 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 take pleasure in their work. Therefore, they must be careful and aware of their fragility as earthen vessels and the preciousness of the treasure they carry,” Onah said.
He told the 23 new clergy that they were not the “result of an accident,” “no matter what science says. Every person is a unique expression of God’s love – unique and irreplaceable.”
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Onah called on the faithful to support the new priests with prayers and to enable them to exercise their office unhindered.
He thanked the “families, parishes and all who contributed to the formation of these young men and acknowledged the collective effort required to prepare them for their lifelong commitment.”
This article was first published by ACI AfricaCNA’s news partner in Africa, and was adapted from CNA.
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communications. He holds 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.
