• Work is ongoing on creation of more Dioceses
The Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (LEP) have enjoined lay leaders to be more creative in developing projects to considerably tackle the recurrent issue of poor finances in their respective organizations and societies amid accomplishing set goals that include promoting spiritual values. This is coming on the heels of reports by the lay bodies of lack of funds militating against the smooth running of their activities. The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, LEP, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, gave this counsel at the 1st Plenary of Bishops of the Province on Monday, January 23, 2023 at Mc Govern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos.
His Grace said, “You spoke of lack of funds. You need to link lack of funds and projects. There is need for you to seek advice and help of experts among the lay faithful to develop projects that will achieve your set goals and at the same time aim at tackling the issue of lack of funds while also promoting spiritual values.” Archbishop Martins also urged the lay leaders to be mindful of the stream of expenditures and income in the course of their activities while also keeping tab on Church values. Speaking further, the prelate noted that work is on-going on creation of more Dioceses in the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province. His Grace lauded the Laity Council, LEP for reenergizing the Catholic Social Forum which he described as a very vital instrument for social engineering among the lay faithful and for the good of the Church. The Archbishop also commended the Church and Society department of LEP for securing justice for rape and gender violence victims through charging such cases to court.
The Justice Development and Peace Centre, LEP was furthermore lauded for its enormous works on voter education and engagement with the voters, as well as eventual sourcing of Election Observers for the forthcoming general elections. The Bishops had an interactive session with the provincial lay leaders of Church and Society, Laity Council, Consecrated Persons (Male and Female), National Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA) and LEP Communications Department as they presented their reports respectively. It was a thought-provoking plenary. The Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province include Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos (President); His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos; Most Rev. (Dr.) Peter Odetoyinbo, Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese and Most Rev. (Dr.) Francis Obafemi Adesina, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese. The Plenary serves as a platform to keep the Bishops of the Province informed about past activities and future tasks of the provincial laity council, associations and societies as well as seek their counsel.
Present at the 1st plenary of the Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province were Very Reverend Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, Director, Justice Development and Peace Centre, Archdiocese of Lagos of Church and Society; Mrs. Mary Ekundayo, President, Laity Council, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province; Very Rev. Fr. Kevin Okonkwo CM, Secretary of Consecrated persons (Male & Female); Rev. Fr. Noel Ikhianosime, Secretary, National Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA) and Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Provincial Coordinator, Social Communications, LEP who presented reports of their respective bodies. Also in attendance were Very Rev. Msgr. Patrick Obayomi, Chaplain, CWONLA; Rev. Fr. Gabriel Odunnaiya, National Chaplain, CYON; Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Ogunyase, Rev. Sr. Adegboju, Sister Adviser, CWONLA; Sir Folu Adekoya, immediate past President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria. Sir John Aigbokhaiode, President, CMON, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province; Mrs. Esther Izokpu, Ist Vice President CWON; Mrs. Grace Amani, President, Catholic Women Organisation Nigeria, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (CWONLEP), Lady Neta Nwosu, President, SIGNIS, Lagos Archdiocese and a host of others also graced the occasion. Also in attendance were Very Rev. Msgr. Patrick Obayomi, Chaplain, CWONLA; Rev. Fr. Gabriel Odunnaiya, National Chaplain, CYON; Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Ogunyase, Rev. Sr. Adegboju, Sister Adviser, CWONLA; Sir Folu Adekoya, immediate past President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria. Sir John Aigbokhaiode, President, CMON, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province; Mrs. Esther Izokpu, Ist Vice President CWON; Mrs. Grace Amani, President, Catholic Women Organisation Nigeria, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (CWONLEP); Lady Neta Nwosu, President, SIGNIS, Lagos Archdiocese and a host of others also graced the occasion.
