…As Lagos Archdiocese holds concluding assembly of Synod on Synodality
The Nigerian government and security agencies in the country have been tasked on the need to do more in securing the lives and properties of Nigerians through intensive intelligence activities, as well make sure that adequate efforts are made to ensure that those who engage in the acts of killing innocent citizens are brought to book. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos during the concluding assembly of the Archdiocesan Synod on Synodality, with the theme, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, participation and mission, held Saturday, June 11 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos.
Speaking on the Synod Assembly, Archbishop Martins said the Archdiocese is gathering together all the discussions that have taken place from the societies, to the parishes, to the deaneries in the Lagos Archdiocese and that they are discussing in order to forward the discussions to the national level. He said: “So, what we are doing therefore is preparation for the synod that will take place in 2023, the Synod of Bishops. It is also the report that will have its own effects on how our local Church fares. The point that has been made, the suggestions that have been proposed and the different ideas that have arisen will certainly also guide our activities and decisions in the Archdiocese.”
On recent attacks and killings in the country, the Bishop Said: “The situation of the country these days gives us a lot of concern. There’s a lot of concern that permeates every wall within this nation. Just last week, we had the attack in Owo. Before that, we have been having several attacks in several parts of the nation in which people just simply go into mosques and churches, villages to destroy and maim people, and create undue troubles. “This is a matter of great concern that government and security agencies need to do more than they are doing now. We feel that if there are intelligence activities going on, much of this would have been detected even before it happens. There’s not adequate effort made to ensure that those who engage in such deadly attacks are brought to book.
And that’s where there is a lot of concern in the mind and hearts of people.” Calling on government to respond promptly to the security concerns of citizens, the Archbishop urged the people not to keep mute, but give information on any person or thing that is a threat to the people and nation. Meanwhile, in his homily during Mass that kick started the event, Rev. Fr. Victor Okhiria said the Pope has called the whole Church on a journey, which involves not just the bishops, but the entire people of God. Speaking on the mission of Barnabas and Saul, the priest said that the message of the Holy Spirit would have been lost on them if they had not been attentive.
Noting that the Church in Antioch proved to be an attentive and a listening community, he urged that the gathering of God’s people at every liturgical assembly is to listen to the voice of God and promptings of the Lord as the people worship. The event which was attended by priests, religious and delegates of the lay societies in the Archdiocese also saw Fr. Marcelllinus Teko, Chairman of the Synod Committee presented the draft report of the pre-Synodal meeting of the Archdiocese.
