‘I am looking to seeing everyone in the Archdiocese feel a sense of responsibility of ownership of the Church’
On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins clocked 25 in his bishopric capacity of priesthood. Prior to his Episcopal ordination as Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, he made history as the pioneer Bishop of Abeokuta on October 24, 1997. NETA NWOSU, Editor, recalls the exclusive interview with Archbishop Martins on his priestly and Episcopal journey and experiences so far.
Please share the story of your call to the vocation of priesthood?
Well, my call to the priesthood did not come in an extraordinary way. I believe my call was nurtured by the fact that I was born into a family that is thoroughly Catholic. We went to Catholic schools. And as children in the family, we had the obligation of being part of the life of the Church in our parish. If you are a boy, you had to be an altar boy and if you are a girl you had to be chorister. So, all of that with all the influences at home sowed the seed in my mind. And of course, the fact that I went to a minor seminary, St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, that also must have helped to nurture the vocation until the grace of God led me on through the Ss. Peter and Paul Seminary and I was ordained in 1983 along with seven others.
At your call, you found yourself in the seminary; please tell us about your seminary days?
Well, at the time that I went to the seminary, that is major seminary; we spent only seven years in formation, different from the nine years that it takes now. At that time, the number was not as large as it is now, and therefore, you could not hide as a seminarian at that time. And it was interesting because constantly you are learning something new both in terms of academics and also in terms of the vocation to the priesthood; in terms of the work that one was called to do. We were fairly close. There were eight of us in my class that belonged to Lagos Archdiocese and we were close to each other, supporting one another. I think that kind of support is extremely important; support in good ways as to help one another to grow; so important. By the grace of God, I enjoyed that.
You have been a priest for several years. We will like you to share your recollections as a young priest?
As a young priest, I began my priestly life at Holy Cross Cathedral here. And it was a good way to begin in many ways for me because I had the opportunity of meeting the last of the SMA priests that worked in the Holy Cross Cathedral; Michael Colorel, and I worked with Fr. Gabriel Osu at that time and other priests. So, it was good way to begin gaining experience from the elderly missionaries and working with those who were older in the priesthood, but like contemporaries you might say. It was great to tap from their experience. And then of course, at that time we were not too many priests, and therefore, everybody was thoroughly engaged. Everyone served an average of two, three Masses every Sunday. And we had the hospitals to visit, the schools to attend to. At a time, interaction with schools was a lot more robust and we were given access to schools and students. Am talking not only about Catholic schools, but all schools to interact with them. So, it was a very, very engaging time, and we had the elderly priests, the senior priests who were really mentors and showed us the path, taught us the ropes and it was an interesting time for me.
You were ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Lagos but later incardinated at Abeokuta Diocese. Tell us about your sojourn in Abeokuta, both as a priest and Bishop?
Actually I began my sojourn in Abeokuta as the Bishop of Abeokuta because the Diocese was created just at the same time I was appointed a Bishop. The Diocese was inaugurated on the same day that I was ordained a Bishop and installed as Bishop. So, my life in Abeokuta Diocese was as a Bishop. And we had the responsibility of setting up the structure of pastoral life, the structure of administration and setting the tone for the growth of the new Diocese. There were nine of us who were incardinated at that time and a few others of Lagos Archdiocese who were with us. And so, we had that responsibility of creating a path to which the Diocese would grow, and by the grace of God, few as we were, we were able to bond together in such a way as to create a solid foundation for the Diocese of Abeokuta. It was pretty interesting because the people were expecting the Diocese and so they were ready to give as much as they could. They didn’t have much to give in terms of financials, but there was a lot of goodwill and a lot of readiness to give whatever it took; the same with the priests that were there at that time. Everybody was just willing to give and to sacrifice as much as they could. So, it was a great time working in Abeokuta with the priests, with the religious and the lay faithful of the Diocese.
Tell us about your reaction when you heard that you have been elevated to be the Archbishop of Lagos.
First of all, it came to me as a surprise. Of course, I wasn’t aware of all that was going on, such that when the Nuncio gave the news to me, I couldn’t believe it. But of course, it was the Nuncio that was speaking, and so, I had no other choice but to believe it and accept it as another role that God wanted me to play. I didn’t expect to go to the seminary and teach at the time I was sent there. I certainly didn’t expect to be Bishop of Abeokuta at the time that I was made Bishop. And so, this was another round of surprise that came to me. But after the shock of it settled down, I began to say ‘Well, ok, there must be something that God wants me to do there, and there must be something that God knows that am in a position to do in Lagos, that’s why he made it to happen.’ And so, that gave me a bit of rest of mind.
You were Bishop at Abeokuta for several years and later assumed the office of Archbishop of Archdiocese of Lagos. What peculiarities do you see in the Archdiocese of Lagos?
Ordinarily, the Church is the same in terms of its organisation wherever you may be. If it’s in Nigeria or in Australia or in Canada, the Church is the same in terms of its structure and its organisation. The teachings are the same. The dispositions to things are the same. However, as you mentioned, there are peculiarities. And one of the peculiarities that I found in Lagos is the diversity of its population, compared with Abeokuta that is basically mono-cultural, so to say. But here, first of all in terms of the size, meaning the population, the number of Catholics is much bigger in terms of its being the Metropolitan See of the Province. Obviously, that gives it a way also. And I also looked at the expectations that people have of Lagos Archdiocese as an archdiocese and whoever is the local ordinary there. The expectations are different than if one was in Abeokuta. And so, those peculiarities of course, drive whatever one had to do in ensuring for instance, that there is a unity of life among the various groups of people that are in the place, and ensuring that everyone is given an opportunity to be part and parcel of the life of the Church in the Archdiocese, and that no one sits on the fence. In fact, that’s one of my own objectives that everybody should be engaged with the Church. Everybody should be so engaged with the Church that he takes it as his personal responsibility for its growth in the first instance, for the growth in faith of the people within the Archdiocese and for its stability and unity. Everyone ought to take it as a personal responsibility. And I hope that we are achieving that.
Since 2012, you have been the Archbishop of Lagos, what will you consider as the milestone achievements of your over 10 years as the Archbishop? What comes immediately to my mind is the reformation of the Pastoral Council, Laity Council and Finance Council. I thought it is important that we had those councils at the parishes first of all well set up with clear guidelines, with clear roles of engagement; and that has been one of the major things that I thought is important for us to do because if we had parish councils that are properly constituted and have clear goals and directions with clear-cut committees and bodies, people will engage with the different aspects of the life of the parish in such a way as to realise the goals. The goals of Liturgy for instance, the goals of care of people within the parish, the goals of ensuring that the administration of the parish is well realised. That would be one area that should be followed on its own. And then, of course, the finances of the parish need to also be streamlined in such a way that the Parish Priest does not have to grapple with all the issues with regards to finances, but he has a group of men and women who have some expertise in that area to help. And then, the Laity Council can also be constituted in such a way that the societies are made to function in a manner that the members will realise the purpose of their membership. We don’t want societies in which all people come to sit and talk about how to raise funds for this, how to make money for that. We want associations of lay faithful that are actually helping people to grow in holiness of life. For instance, if you are in St. Vincent De Paul, you are helping in realising the goal of caring for the needy. If you are in Legion of Mary, you are helped to focus on devotion to our Blessed Mother. So, all these I considered as some of the major things that need to be done. So, we have been trying to realize these and it’s ongoing. And we hope that by the grace of God, we shall realise the goals when all is set. The parish is done. The deaneries are done. We are at the Archdiocesan level of following these guidelines that have been developed over the years. And I must say a great word of thanks to the members of the committee that we did set up to help, first of all to formulate these guidelines, then, to begin to educate people about what it entails, and then see to the implementation of the guidelines. I must commend them for their very, very great work that they have done over the years in ensuring that gradually, we are beginning to realise this goal. And people are beginning to key into it more than ever before. The other thing that I consider very important is the formation of the different elements so to say, in quote within the Archdiocese. Training in leadership for instance; training in being able to carry through the function that one has been given. I think that that is also a very vital thing. I remember a time that the priests were undergoing their own leadership formation as it is called. At that point in time, it was done in different trenches, and every time we get a feedback, people were thoroughly impressed by the input that they received and by how much it has improved and given them the skills with which to carry through their work. And I believe that gradually, by the grace of God, this will continue to manifest in the way things are done in the different parishes. Now, we are at the point of training for lay leaders in the Archdiocese; leaders of associations of the lay faithful, leaders of Laity Council and the rest of it. That is ongoing now. And I believe that with the grace of God, when there is a body of skilled men and women, we shall be able to get the best kind of leadership which an Archdiocese such as ours deserves. That’s all on that side. But of course, there has to be physical development as well. And so, am glad for instance, that by the grace of God that now we have a St. Kizito College that is functioning very well. It was started within these years. I am glad that we have been able to add value to the Augustine University that was started by my predecessor in office. It began to function as a university in 2013 or thereabout, and by the grace of God, we have been able to put up some of the structures that are needed. Of course, needs for more structures are beginning to come and we are working on that as well. Of course, we talk about the pastoral life; more parishes that have been created, Churches that have been dedicated, priests that have been ordained; all of these are expressions of grace of God which we have been experiencing over these years.
Last year, you unveiled a project on the priests’ home and it was a very big event. Please could you touch on that?
Well, there had been some thought about starting a home for priests where they can live out their retirement in peace, in relative comfort and in a conducive environment. The thought has been going on for some time. When I came, we began to look at where such a home could be located. We had a few places in mind; at Igbowo, at Odoragbose, at Lekki; all of those places we were considering, but eventually, I believe God led us to where we are now at Maryland. And so, the project began first of all as I said in order that priests will not have to worry about what happens to them, how they will be taken care of when they are no longer in active service. And so, I put together a committee that would realise that project under the leadership of Fr. Anthony Fadairo and several men and women of repute in the Archdiocese to work through this. And they have done a good job to the point that the home and the project have been unveiled, and the project itself has started and the building of the home is almost completed. There is a hospital nearby that if priests in their old age need medical services, it will not be too far away and it will be readily available. In fact, the new part of the hospital is connected to the home at a certain level. I think it’s on the second floor or first floor. But then, we also recognise that it is not enough to build a house; a house is what it is; mortar, bricks and glass, but the functionality of also ensuring that people are well taken care of should also be part and parcel of the thoughts at this point in time, such that the maintenance of the building and then of course, the care of the men who will eventually use the place. By the grace of God we have considerably realised it in not too long a time.
What unique experiences will you love to share with us in these last 10 years in the archbishopric capacity?
Well, one thing that is the case as it is with anyone who assumes leadership in a place is the saying that you would have those who are very well connected with what you want to achieve, with what you want to do, and those who are neither here nor there and those who are on the other hand have no feeling of it. These things are there, they are not unique, but they are experiences that people who occupy leadership positions have to go through. What you have to do is to just try and manage the different strands of life of people you have. So that is one of the experiences. I think overwhelmingly, there has been a unity of purpose and a disposition to achieve the goals of the Church, which is evangelisation more than any other thing. And that’s why we actually instituted a commission on evangelization. Many have bought into it; others are still watching to see where is this one going to. But gradually by the grace of God, it is coming up. We think that the youths are a very vital part of the Archdiocese too. And so the Youth Policy of the Archdiocese has been developed and published. Again, it has people who are waiting to see how this will go. But by and large, I think it is gaining the traction that is needed for our youths to be properly taken care of and for our children to feel part and parcel of the life of the Church.
What have been your challenges so far?
Well, first of all we look at the fact that as we ordain priests, we also need more. The more you ordain priests, the more the need for priests are there. So, it is one of the challenges we have to face constantly. And it’s not surprising because as we have priests, the Church will grow, and as the Church grows, the need for more priests also comes. That’s one challenge, but we try to deal with it by also engaging with other Dioceses and Religious families, in order that we can meet that need. Of course, the other is the finances with which we can fulfill all our projects and objectives. People generally talk of Lagos and they say, “O Lagos, you have lots and lots of money.” Anyway, we say, “Yes, thank God”. We are located as we are, and it’s a prime location as we are. But the fact that we are located here also creates responsibilities. I constantly remind myself of the Yoruba saying, ‘Owo Eko, Eko lo ngbe.’ You make your money in Lagos, there are so many things you want to do, that you have to do that takes the money from you. And that’s the way it is. If you were to buy a piece of land in Lagos for instance, in some parts of Lagos, many times you cannot simply buy land, you are buying a portion of water or a portion of swamp which you turn into land before you even begin to think of building. It was when I got to Lagos that I knew there is something called piling. It never was part of my world view until I got that testimony. That takes money. So, the point am making therefore is that much as it is the case that we are blessed more than some others, we also have obligations that put a strain on the finances that we have. So, these are some of the issues that we have to face.
What are your visions for the future as a person and Archbishop of Lagos?
Well, growth obviously is one of the major things for either a person or an institution. Growth is always a goal to be realised. And so as a person, naturally I want to see how I can better fulfill the purpose for which God created me; to know God better, to love, to serve Him better so as to become more like Him in the way I think, in the way I talk, in the things I do, in the things I don’t do. That obviously is one of the major things that I am looking forward to as we go into the future. And then of course, to get better in the whole process of relationships with people and fulfilling the goals and helping as the Archbishop to realise the goals of the Church in our Archdiocese in terms of evangelisation, in terms of the spiritual development of the people of the Archdiocese. So, that will be it for me as a person. But for our Church, I am looking forward to a time that everyone, every single person in the Archdiocese feels a sense of responsibility of ownership of the Church and therefore the obligation to do whatever it takes in order to make it grow. That is the whole purpose of the project. As I said, gradually it is coming on, but there are still quite a number that are struggling with the idea of engaging with the Church. And am hoping that our Church will come to that point at which everybody takes responsibility. For instance, evangelisation; that every individual will take it that, “look, it is my duty to ensure that I bring people to know Christ in the Church in the Archdiocese of Lagos. I am looking forward to that time that people will simply not feel fulfilled until they have helped to bring somebody to know Christ in the Church. That is the sort of engagement and that is also dependent upon individuals own personal relationship with God. That with the grace of God, we would have created, we would have built up a Church that helps individuals to build up their own spiritual life such that they will be motivated to bring others to come and know Christ. That is my hope for the Church in the Archdiocese. Of course, we have projects in the Archdiocese that am also hoping we will realise. For instance, Augustine University is the project of the Archdiocese that needs a lot more growth first of all in terms of the number of students in that institution. I am hoping that as the institution grows, we will be encouraging our children to have Augustine University as their first choice when they get to that point in their lives. Am looking forward to a situation in which all the structures that are needed for the institution are put in place. For example, at this point in time, we have had benefactors who have assisted us or who are assisting us to put some of the projects on ground. The Faculty of Engineering for instance, is one of the flagship faculties we are trying to establish. And we are hoping already it’s being done. We thank the family of Otedola, led by Mr. Femi Otedola himself who has been at the fore front helping to build that Faculty of Engineering. And am hoping we get more and more people of goodwill who are going to help us in this regard. We have a hospital at Ijede that is also growing by the grace of God, by the skills that those who are managing it are using, St. Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital, Ijede. Now by the grace of God, that hospital is being accredited for the training of doctors, such that we have a faculty there that engages in the training of young doctors towards their career. We are already in the process of establishing a School of Nursing that would also ensure that the nurses that our country needs and that the hospital needs are there. These are days that nurses are hopping out of the country like no man’s business. So, we hope that when we are able to establish that school of nursing, it will also help. So, these are things that we are hoping by the grace of God to achieve, among others.
