Catholics have been asked to defend the defenceless and always speak out whenever the less privileged in their midst are being oppressed or deprived of what should naturally come to them, no matter the consequence. The charge was given by Rev. Fr. Oscar Obi, Director, Lay Apostolate and representative of Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, while delivering the homily during the investiture ceremony of Knights, Knighted Ladies and honourary Knights of St. Paul (KSP), held recently at Christ the King Catholic Church, Akonwonjo, Lagos. Fr. Obi said believers are not meant to see evil being perpetrated around them and pretend not to notice, or look the other way for fear of losing favours from the perpetrators.
He urged the Knights to be true to their calling by defending the faith as well as rights of people, even to the detriment of their wellbeing. According to him, “That is the kind of life a Knight should live. They are the defenders of the faith. They are the soldiers of Christ.” The priest asked the Knights to be ready to make sacrifices, drawing their attention to the significance of their red-coloured attire which he disclosed is a reminder that they must be willing and ready to shed their blood for Christ whenever it is required of them, just like their patron saint, St. Paul, did many years ago.
He urged the Knights to bring Christ to bear in their profession, and society, asking them to respect others, and refrain from the use of derogatory language when talking to people, so as to earn the admiration of all. Also speaking on the occasion, Sir Peter Nwabuo KSP, National Knight expressed joy at the erection of the Lagos Council and the investiture taking place in the Council, as he urged the Knights to put in energy for the work of God, assuring them that their efforts will turn out good.
Nwabuo said the essence of the knighthood is for members to assist the Church in carrying out works of evangelisation and charity, as he urged them to put Christ first in all they do, and live exemplary lives, especially in the manner they speak and act. For his part, Sir Opia, Lagos Council Knight, expressing happiness at the investiture of members taking place in the Archdiocese of Lagos for the first time, recounted his efforts and that of his fellow knights to establish the Knighthood Order of St. Paul in Lagos. He thanked God, Archbishop Martins, Very Rev. Fr. Jerome Akinyemi, Dean, Ipaja Deanery, his Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Greg Ndaeyo, for their support to ensure the Order’s presence in Lagos.
He said the most significant thing about the Order is their Patron Saint, St. Paul, who was known for his doggedness in preaching and living for Christ, stating that the humble way of life of the Knights is a basic attraction to the group. He called on practicing Catholics, including the youths to join the Order that has good plans for young Catholics who will be well bred from the root to live exemplary lives.
The Order founded by Late Archbishop Patrick E. Ekpu, Emeritus Archbishop of Benin-City in 1991, saw the investiture of over 30 knights and Knighted Ladies from the various Councils of the Order, including Dr. Grace Achum, Patroness and Emeritus President, Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria, CAMPAN, Lagos Archdiocese on its 12th investiture ceremony.
