In commemoration of the 25th Episcopal and 40th Priestly Ordination anniversaries of Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has unveiled a week-long activity. According to a press release made available to The Catholic Herald weekly newspaper, the line-up of events will feature Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, on September 16, 2023.
The statement signed by Mr. Peter Nwanze, Chairman and Very Rev. Fr. Julius Olaitan, Secretary, All Purpose Committee, Archdiocese of Lagos, reads in part, “ The Mass will be a double celebration for the Archbishop; apart from marking the 25th anniversary of his Episcopacy, it will also be his 40th Priestly Ordination anniversary, which he will be concelebrating with Very Rev. Msgr. Edmond Babashay Akpala, Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Gbenga Oduntan, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Femi Akintolu and Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Iweanya Ania. “
These Concelebrants were classmates with Archbishop Martins at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, and were ordained on the same day, 18th September, 1983 at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Hence their famous name, ‘The Class of ‘83’. “The week-long celebration will commence on Friday, September 15, 2023, with a Musical Concert at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos.” Other events planned to commemorate the dual anniversaries include, the Ordination of a few new Priests, Grand finale of a Quiz Challenge involving families from Parishes across the Archdiocese, and Charity Visits to some Charity Homes.
The week of celebrations will be rounded-off on Saturday, September 23, 2023, with the Holy Mass, followed by the presentation of Awards to the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese in recognition of their selfless services to the Church and humanity. The historic episcopacy of Archbishop Martins took its roots from Rome. Fourteen years after his ordination as a priest of the Archdiocese of Lagos, he was appointed the Bishop of Abeokuta on October 24, 1997 by Pope Saint John Paul II and consecrated on January 24, 1998. On May 25, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI on accepting the resignation of Anthony Cardinal Okogie, as Archbishop of Lagos, appointed Bishop Martins as Archbishop-elect of Lagos.
A month and four days later, precisely, June 29, 2012, Bishop Martins received the pallium from the Pope Emeritus in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican, Rome. On August 4, 2012, the Lagos Catholic faithful witnessed the Installation of Archbishop-elect Alfred Adewale Martins as the fourth Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, succeeding His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who presided over the Metropolitan See of Lagos for 39 years. Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins has been the Chief Shepherd of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos for 11 years, and has led the Archdiocese to exponential growth through reforms and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Clergy, Laity and friends of the Archdiocese of Lagos and Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, wish Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, many more years of service in God’s Vineyard.
