Emulate Christ in your vocation -Archbishop Leke Abegunrin charges new Catholic Priests

The prelate of the Catholic Arch-
diocese of Ibadan, Most Rev.
Gabriel Leke Abegunrin has
charged the newly ordained priests in
the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo to em-
ulate Christ, the Master of the Chris-
tiandom in their priestly vocations.
Arch Bishop Abegunrin stated this
during the ordination of newly or-
dained priests in the Diocese of Osogbo
as part of the programmes marking the
25th Anniversary of the creation of the
Catholic Diocese of Osogbo.
According to the prelate, “priesthood
in the Catholic Church is not a pro-
fession or business venture, but a call
to the service of God as a Shepherd to
preach the words of God, save lives,
guide the people of God, evangelise,
proclaim Christ, absolute dedication of
the whole life to Christ in devoid of the
worldly materials and administer the
sacraments of the church.”
He charged the six priests; Rev. Fr.
Lawrence Adeola Afolabi, Rev. Fr. Wil-
liams Opeyemi Amoo, Rev. Fr. Francis
Adeyemi Bamigboye, Rev. Fr. Mathew
Oluwatosin Arimoro, Rev. Fr Stephen
Okurumeh and Rev. Fr. Stephen Olay-
iwola Ola to imitate Christ in their ser-
vices, conducts in the church and rela-
tionship with the people of God.
He admonished them to “always
work as a faithful follower and disciple
of Christ, by imbibing unconditional
love, humility, simplicity, concern for
the people and the needy, imitate pas-
sion of Christ for justice, mercy to for-
give and servant leadership style.”
The Archbishop enjoined the new
priests that to be successful in the Lord’s
vineyard, they need to be courageous,
knowledgeable, prayerful, focused and
trust everybody around them and en-
sure that they did not mislead their
flock in their ministration.
Also, in his post Communion Com-
ments, at the ordination, the Chief Host
and diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. John
Akin Oyejola described the event as a
celebration of Faith.
He said the diocese was created Twen-
ty-five years ago because the church
saw the need to take better care of His
people, in order to bring the priests
closer to the people.
He noted that the goal of the church
was the salvation of the people, hence
more priests were being ordained to ca-
ter for their spiritual needs after about
ten years training.
The Prelate of the diocese however ad-
monished members of the congregation
to nourish their faith, so as to know more
of God through the Deepening of Faith
programme, a liturgical programme
currently going on in the churc