Christians, Catholics, in particular have been asked not to assume they can resolve issues through the social media, as they have been told that social media is never a way to correct anyone because, it never works when people think that they can correct others through online platforms. This was the position of Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, while speaking during the 2024 Chrism Mass, held recently at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Archbishop Martins asked the lay faithful to pray for their priests whom he said are subject to the same shortcomings as other humans, adding that if there is need for correction, they (priests) should be corrected in love and in a way capable of bringing positive response.
The Archbishop commended the priests for the good work they are doing all over the Archdiocese, as he reminded them that the work must continue with new vigour, until the end. He assured the priests of the people’s prayers, God’s help and guidance, as he advised them to continue to be faithful to their call, to Christ, the commitment that they have made, and to the oaths and vows they took at ordination. Speaking on the significance of Easter, he said it is a day which the people have been preparing for, and they look forward to it because it is the full key of all their activities as Christians. He added that if there was no resurrection, there will not be Christianity. According to him, “If Christ has died and risen for us, we must pay back by ensuring that we do our best to overcome our shortcomings that we have identified during Lent, and start a new life.”
Calling on the leaders to do everything within their power to make better the life of the people, Archbishop Martins said lots of things need to be improved upon, including hunger, poverty, insecurity, among other challenges facing the country. He said it is important that the leaders are seen to be leading in making sacrifices, adding that when the sacrifices are one-sided, the people will not take what the leaders say seriously. “If the leaders lead by example, the people will surely fall in line”, he emphasised. Delivering the homily on the occasion, Very Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, National Director of Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria said the celebration gives the opportunity for more evangelistic activities in the Church. Stressing on the need for closer communication between the shepherd and the flock, he asked the lay faithful to continually uphold the priesthood in prayer.
According to Fr. Umoh, the clergy and laity are collaborators in growing the faith that they received from the apostles, adding that this unique and annual celebration highlights their unity as disciples of Christ, called to manifest His presence wherever they live as a Church. For his part, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, thanked God for the gift of the priesthood and for counting them worthy to be His representatives and co-mediators with His son, Jesus Christ between Him and humanity. He urged his fellow priests to continue to strive for excellence, be Christ’s true ambassadors, men of God who have compassion and desire to help others from their heart.