His Holiness commends Bishop Fasina’s soul to the merciful love of Christ
‘His Holiness, Pope Francis sends his prayerful condolences, with gratitude for his many years of his tireless efforts, on behalf of the poor’ His Holiness, Pope Francis was saddened, to learn of the death of Bishop Albert Ayinde Fasina, and he sends his prayerful condolences to the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, with gratitude for his many years of devoted priestly and episcopal ministry, his dedication to the formation of the lay faithful, and his tireless efforts, on behalf of the poor, His Holiness commends Bishop Fasina’s soul to the merciful love of Christ, the good Shepherd. Upon all who mourn his loss, the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing, as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Lord.
‘His entire life was a great blessing to mankind’
Without any iota of doubt, the life of Bishop Fasina exemplified integrity, love, divine service, with an unprecedented commitment to the Good Shepherd. His service to God, in the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, and by extension, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, remain indelible on the sands of time. Indeed, his entire life was a great blessing to mankind. Our Bishop has fought a good fight, and finished his race. May his dynamic soul rest in perfect peace.
‘I personally experienced his humbleness’
Oh, when the Saints go marching in…O Lord, let Baba Albert Fashina Ayinda be in that number, through Christ Our Lord! Indeed an Elephant has fallen, and yet still standing!!! A man that gave his all to the young people, the society, and the Church at large has left us, and yet still with us. Indeed, this is a call to glory! Matthew 5:1-3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Baba was indeed poor in spirit. He took life so easy, very simple, and was never moved with things ephemeral. From my encounter with Baba, he was an epitome of ‘HUMILTY’ and ‘SIMPLICITY’. Man of prayer, and Lover of peace to the core. I personally experienced his humbleness, when he attended my mother’s wake keep service, and few years later, when I lost my Dad. Baba was physically present at the funeral Mass. Baba is gone, but he lives on. So, I call on everyone to emulate the good deeds of Baba Fasina, especially in the areas of ‘HUMILITY’ and ‘SIMPLE’ way of life. I have no iota of doubt that Baba will find favour in the sight of God. We have been blessed richly with his teachings, encouragement and his charity. May His Gentle Soul Rest In The Lord… Amen”
‘His love for the poor, the sick and destitute was incomparable’
Like St. Paul, he has fought a good fight. He has run the race; he has kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). His love for the poor, the sick and destitute, was incomparable. Posterity will never forget the immensity of his contributions to the Church. His pastoral zeal and foresight brought about tremendous growth and development of the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, which was under his pastoral care, for many years. We will surely miss him, but we are consoled that he is at peace with His Maker, whom he served so well. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in perfect peace. Amen
‘Bishop Fasina was an extraordinarily kind, humble, caring Priest and Bishop’
The passing of an exceptional Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Albert Ayinde Fasina, Emeritus Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, gives us cause to ponder on how he touched on lives. Bishop Fasina was an extraordinarily kind, humble, caring Priest and Bishop. The Catholic Women Organization, Nigeria (CWON), especially CWON, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province will miss him. May God grant Bishop Fasina an eternity of happiness with Him.
‘Even in his retirement, his spiritual solicitude, prayers and zeal for God’s house continued to inspire many’
Although physical separation from him hurts a lot, we rejoice in all the good things our venerable brother, Most Rev. Albert Ayinde Fasina did in the course of his fruitful life. The late Bishop Fasina served devotedly and selflessly as the Chief Shepherd of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, from his appointment on June 21, 1988, till his retirement in 2019. Even in his retirement, his spiritual solicitude, prayers and zeal for God’s house continued to inspire many. In the words of the Psalmist, “The days of our life are seventy years or perhaps eighty, if we are strong.” We give thanks to God for granting the gift of a long and fruitful life to him. We are therefore consoled by the way he lived his life, that he has gone the way of his eternal rewards, where Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life will welcome him, into His eternal kingdom. May God in His mercies grant his soul eternal rest.
‘He was selfless, humble to the core, charitable to a fault, and passionate as a Shepherd’
As inevitable as death is, certain deaths are never anticipated, especially the death of a dear one, even in their old age. We can only imagine the pain and sadness his demise has caused the Diocese. We must however give thanks to God Almighty for the life he lived. He lived a purposeful and impactful life – selfless, humble to the core, charitable to a fault, and passionate as a Shepherd. He will be greatly missed. Baba Fasina was a visionary missionary While we mourn his transition to glory, we implore the clergy and the entire faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, to take solace, not only in the memories that linger, but by emulating the virtues he exemplified. May the soul of Bishop Albert Ayinde Fasina and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in Peace! Adieu, Baba Fasina!!
‘He’s like Saint Paul, who devoted himself to evangelisation’
Late Bishop Albert Fasina, I referred to during his life time as a living saint because of the lifestyle, and continuous catechises’ efforts to lay faithful, regardless of your age. He is very accommodative, detribalised personality; he lived a modest life, and a virtuous priest, who persevered totally in Christ. He is like Saint Paul who devoted himself to evangelisation by taking the good news to the nooks and crannies of Ijebu Ode Diocese. He will forever be remembered as a great priest because he devoted himself to the service of God and humanity.
‘We will forever remember his admonition and blessing’
We celebrate the life of Most. Rev. Albert Ayinde Fasina. We celebrate his life that was well lived, and we thank God for his graces upon him, while still here to shepherd his holy people. We will forever remember his admonition and blessing during our National Council election in Ijebu Ode, 2018, which was under his watch. We will truly miss him a lot. May our condolences bring to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCN), CMO, and Catholic Community of Ijebu-Ode, consolation and peace during this painful time. May his soul rest in Peace.
‘Bishop Fasina was a good man with a large heart’
Simply put, Bishop Albert Ayinde Fasina was a good man, with a large heart. They neither come in great numbers nor are all humanity fortuitous enough, to encounter such great souls at all times. He was downrightly austere. Once he accepted his episcopacy, he never looked back. A Bishop upon ascension to the throne naturally prays for success and strength. He was obliged by Jesus Christ, as evidenced by the phenomenal growth in the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, from about seven Priests to close to seventy. Same giant strides permeate the entire Diocese. As a prophet, he told me – “Robert, don’t be afraid, Lumen Christi will impact on lives.” How so true! So long and fare thee well, great soldier of Christ!
