The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Very Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Anthony Akinwale, OP has advocated the use of the SIM cards in handsets as voter’s card which people can use to cast their votes during elections in the country to validate the electoral process. Fr. Akinwale gave the advice while presenting a paper, titled, “Social media and the future Priest: Challenges and prospects in a dynamic world”, at the 14th annual seminar for Seminarians with the theme, “The Church, the Priest in a fast-changing digital age”, organised by Serra Club of Gbaja, Serra International, District 130-C, held recently at St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos. Fr. Akinwale who delivered his paper virtually, said if voting is done via the handset, there would not be need for polling stations, as the voting process and the outcome will become faster.
He said if huge financial transactions can be done on telephone, voting on election day can be done without violating, but validating the electoral process. The priest scholar said that through accomplishments of science and technology, the human spirit has been able to invent a variety of means of fast and efficient means of communication, notably the social media. Speaking on the edifying features of the digital age, Fr. Akinwale cautioned the seminarians against the attractions of unedifying content, including pornography, bigotry, fake news among other vices. He advised young people to ensure that they trade ideas that can improve individual and collective quality of life, instead of insulting or misinforming posts on social media.
He urged Christians to use resources of the digital age to live out their vocation as a Church, as priests and candidates for priestly life and ministry, and as lay persons in the Church, adding that the vocation of the Church is to bear witness to the Gospel even when the environment is hostile. “Cyberspace is a privileged place to bear witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”, he said. Also delivering a lecture, entitled, “Mastering skills for impactful homilies in a digitalised and diverse world”, Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki, Parish Priest, Holy Family Catholic Church and Dean, Festac Town Deanery noted that sometimes homilies can be an issue for priests.
Speaking on the importance of the Word to priests, Fr. Mayaki said Jesus did not give His disciples any other materials but the Word. He said in the homily, Jesus should be the centre of attention not the priest, as he added that a good homily should illustrate, instruct and link the people to God. Stating that lots of young people are distracted and their attentions need to be captured through preaching, the priest encouraged the Seminarians to use the digital devices and space for the purpose of evangelisation.
For Serran Obioma Obigbor, the President, she said Serra Club of Gbaja has been anchoring the programme since 2009, noting that the essence is that every year, the Samaritans are brought together to meet minds with priests and lay faithful on issues bordering on their formation towards their chosen vocation. She thanked them for making the decision to answer God’s call and prayed that nothing will derail their decision.
