…As laity celebrates Feast Day, Golden Jubilee
Catholics have been asked to take the moment of consecration, when heaven meets the earth to proclaim their faith in the presence of Jesus, and bring to God their pressing personal issues, challenges and concerns. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, while delivering the homily during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council (LALC) and feast of St. Thomas More, themed, “Empowering the Laity for Discipleship: 50 years of service and witness”, held recently at Catholic Church of the Ascension, Ikeja, Lagos.
Archbishop Martins said that the Holy Eucharist was given to humanity as a gift, as he urged the people to reawaken the practice of proclaiming their faith, and lift all worries, especially their common intention for the country, Nigeria to Jesus as the Archdiocese observes the prayer for peace. He said the people should pray for the nation, against the killings happening particularly in Benue State and other states in the country be brought to an end, and for peace, and prosperity to reign again in Nigeria. According to the Archbishop, “We are being asked to pray today that all that have been lost as a result of all the activities of terrorists in our nation will be restored to us again by the intervention of God, by the intervention of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Archbishop Martins noted that it is divine providence that the Laity Council’s celebration coincides with the celebration of the Corpus Christi, as he thanked God for the life of the Council and that of all the lay faithful of the Archdiocese. He said the council has coordinated the life and activities of the lay faithful over the years, noting its growth and introduction of new initiatives that has helped to define its role in the life of the Church. On empowerment of the Laity, the Archbishop commended leaders of the Council, past and present, urging them to continue to recognise the gifts and charisms of the Laity, as well to encourage and provide them with opportunities to use the unique gifts and charisms for the service of God and His Church.
Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Oscar Obi, Director, Lay Apostolate Centre and LALC Chaplain, noted that empowering the laity for discipleship is crucial for the Church’s growth, as it signifies a vital shift from a clergy-centric model to a collaborative clergy and laity model, where every believer recognises their indispensable role in realising the Church’s mission. He added that this enablement allows them (Laity) to effectively utilise their God-given gifts for evangelisation and the Church’s continuous expansion.
Fr. Obi said Vatican II’s decree, ‘Apostolicam Actuositatem,’ clearly outlines the apostolate of the laity, emphasising their active and indispensable role in the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel. He said: “Rooted in their baptism and confirmation, this decree affirms the laity’s inherent right and duty to participate in the apostolate. It encourages engagement in diverse forms of apostolate from proclaiming the faith through word and action, to infusing a Christian spirit into their daily lives and professional spheres.
