This is an excerpt of Very Rev. Fr. Julius Olaitan’s Audiocast on August 16, 2023. The Dean, Lagos Island Deanery, Director, Lagos Resource Centre and Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos is a priest many across the world follow for their morning devotional prayers. Fr. Olaitan is a dynamic voice on WhatsApp and You Tube shaping people’s thoughts spiritually at sunrise. Daily, Fr. Olaitan walks Catholics and non Catholics alike through the entire Mass readings in an engaging style, providing commentary on Catholic liturgy, reflections, life issues and prayer along the way. The short and fast-paced Audiocasts and videos of the social media-savvy priest offer exceptional insights into the Catholic Church as well as give the listeners the strength and appropriate mind-set to push through the day. For some lay faithful, listening to Fr. Olaitan’s morning preaching is sharing personal moments with God that keeps them optimised and motivated with clear direction from God. The Catholic Priest well known for his social media videos and audio cast recently celebrated his 25th Priestly Ordination anniversary. The Editor, NETA NWOSU speaks with Fr. Olaitan on his 25 years in priesthood, peculiarities of the Lagos Island Deanery, engaging youths in the Catholic Church and other contemporary issues
When and how did you receive the call to join the priesthood and why did you not choose to join the religious congregations like SMA, Order of Preachers (Dominican Priests), Oblates of St. Joseph, etc?
It all started from home. My parents were serious and committed Catholics and the entire family followed in that line. Our lives revolved around school, Church, work. We had enough time to do our spiritual activities and so belonged to many societies in Church. I was also an Altar Server and a Service Leader even while still in the Secondary School. On why I chose the Archdiocese and not a Religious Order, — I was more familiar with the Diocesan set up and it was my first option. My Parish Priest at the time, Very Revd. Msgr. Patrick Obayomi was also the Director of Vocations, which made it easy to apply and attend the interviews in the Parish.
Could you please share your experiences so far as a Priest?
I give thanks to God for everything that has happened in the last 25 years. We claim no credit. God alone be praised. I have had the opportunity to serve in a number of places during the period. I started as an Associate Priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church Ketu, Alapere and when Fr. John Trout left for studies, I became the Priest-in Charge between 1999 to 2001. I was then appointed the Administrator of Holy Cross Cathedral and at the same time, the Director of Vocations in the Archdiocese till 2007, when I was approved for further studies at the Mater Dei Institute in Dublin, Ireland. During that period, I also served as Chaplain to the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown, Dublin. On my return from Studies in 2008, I was assigned as a Priest in Residence to Holy Family Catholic Church Festac Town, and at the same time became the Project Director of the new Seminary— St. Albert the Great Major Seminary Idowu-Ofonron, Abeokuta.
In 2012, I was then assigned to Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help Church, Ajah as Parish Priest while the Seminary Project continued. I resumed at Ajah in 2012 and by November 2015 was assigned as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Victoria Island and the Dean of Lagos Island Deanery. Some other assignments have been given and handled during this period. During those years, I have had the opportunity to supervise quite a number of physical development projects, beginning from Alapere where I had to acquire more lands, fill, equip the parish Hospital, improve on the structures at the outstation churches at Magodo and Owode- Ajegunle, begin a Station from an SCC at Agility Community. We had the New Church drawings ready before I was moved to the Cathedral. In the Cathedral, with the Parish Council, we restructured the Parish Centre and renovated it to give room for the Clinic and the Youth Development Centre where we had a Computer training Centre in Collaboration with NIIT. Shortly after that, the Archdiocese acquired the Papal Nunciature structure in Victoria Island and His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie gave a part of it to the Cathedral to build a Church. We want to work with the Council and the project started in earnest.
It was at the finishing stage when I left for studies. On my return from Studies, I was saddled with the responsibility of the construction of a new major seminary – a tertiary institution. I had to get a team together to plan, raise fund and build. With the cooperation of the Bishops and many lay faithful, in 10 years, we completed about 20 structures there with other supporting facilities. It is a full fledged seminary now and the first set of students are now being ordained priests this year. I was again sent to Ajah. I resumed there just as the pilling of the foundation was being completed. To God be the glory that with the help of those who worked with me we were again at the roofing level when I was asked to take up the responsibility at Victoria Island Parish— again another project was the Parish Hall. We acquired the property at No. 16 Musa Y’Ardua, and with the help of the people, we did the design, fund raising, and completed the structure in time for the 10th anniversary of the Parish. Now there is a new responsibility, which is to develop a hostel project at the Augustine University. To God be the glory, we just completed the foundation work and hoping to continue the development.
What have been your most important highlights so far in your 25 years of priesthood?
I will say the most important highlights is in the area of relationships— with God and with the people that I have had the opportunity to work with and to serve. I have friends I do not even know. For instance, the daily reflections “the Audiocast” has brought me into contact with many people who are just getting to even know the name behind the voice because I deliberately chose not to include my name to make sure the people hear the Word of God and not just me. In the different parishes where I have had the privilege to serve, I have made friends, known and not. It’s just incredible when some people walk up to me to remind me of where and how they have come in contact with me directly and indirectly.
What have been some of your low points?
The low points are few and far in between. They have to do with the times when I have been overwhelmed by the work that needed to be done, just by one person. The grace of God has seen me through and I give Him praise. The Cross can sometimes be heavy but grace conquers everything.
What gives you the energy to keep going amid challenges?
The energy to keep going comes from God and the enthusiasm comes from the response of the people we serve. I have found solace in prayers— waking up early to begin with prayers; then communal prayer with my brother priests before the close of day, meal time, and the camaraderie of fellow priests is something awesome too.
Who has had the biggest influence on your vocation so far?
My parents I will say, because they set me on the path. I have had some other people, who have encouraged me along the way. I remain eternally grateful to them all.
You have been the Dean of Lagos Island Deanery for some years. How is the Deanery doing? Please tell us about the Lagos Island Deanery?
There are certain unique things about our deanery, particularly because we are in the heart of the market. The parishes are few— seven with Chaplaincies and most people come to work and return to live in other parts of the city. But we have many committed parishioners— weekdays and Sundays, who have made the difference. I will say we are doing well as a deanery. There is a good cooperation among the priests and the Religious, and that’s reflecting on the way the parishes are doing.
How are the Police and Military Chaplaincies (St. Joseph Chaplaincy, Dodan Barracks; St. Peter Police Chaplaincy, Obalende and St. Theresa Military Chaplaincy) doing? Please share your peculiar experiences with these Chaplaincies in comparison with the parishes in your Deanery.
The Chaplaincies have a different structure. They are responsible to their formation— military or Police but we enjoy great cooperation with them. The priesthood is the same and we all are accountable to the Archdiocese.
How do you hope to see your Deanery contributing to the Archdiocese of Lagos and the universal Church?
That is what we are doing already. The mission of the Church is the same— evangelisation. To bring the world home to God. We are contributing our quota in every way necessary. You are an exceptional media evangelist across the social media, including its network platforms.
How do you live this huge task amid your functions as a Parish Priest, Dean, Director of Lagos Resource Centre; Secretary, All Purpose Committee and a host of others?
This takes me back to an earlier answer— God’s GRACE— sometimes it’s difficult to place it, how I come through some of the assignments but that’s what God is doing in and through us. We are instruments in the hands of God. We are just trying what is humanly possible and allowing God to do the rest.
How would you like to be remembered in the future?
I am still here and will just want to be seen as someone who is allowing himself to be guided by God and the authorities put in place by God, in the usage of many talents and the resources in my care, for the good of all. I hope in the future I will attain heaven and be remembered for that.
How do you explain the relevance of the Catholic Church to young people who are searching for answers and do not believe in any specific religion?
The relevance of the Church is tied to the relevance of God. The Church is an institution established by God to help humans align themselves with his will and so fulfill that purpose of God— to know him, love him, serve him in the world and to attain eternal happiness. Many young people are fascinated by this, but they face a lot of distractions which are not strange. Our duty is to continue to guide them to love and by that, to God, the ultimate in all things good.
What challenges do you face as a Priest of the 21st century?
Every priest faces a myriad of challenges in this century, where there is that competition for everything worldly, which affects the priest too. How to keep the focus and then be able to guide others to focus as well, is a battle. The Church remains the greatest force for good in the world. Too many worldly things people trust in are changing. The priesthood is facing its own changes too, in the way many people perceive the Church and particularly as a result of many scandals in the recent past. That however does not remove the relevance of the Church. That there are accidents does not mean we will stop plying that route or abandon the means of transportation involved in that accident. We try always to make things better and safer. The same applies to the Church and the priesthood. ‘The priest is a man chosen from among men to represent them in their relationship with God.’ That does not remove his humanity and he is prone to fall, something he must work to overcome.
How do you think the Church today can attract more people to religious life?
The Church in our environment has no problem with vocations presently, what we are concerned with the most, is actually the quality of vocations, to make sure people are not looking only at the trappings, but that they are really interested in the service. We continue to pray for good and holy vocations. What is the single achievement you are most proud of in your career/life? I will find it difficult to single out one achievement. I will leave that to those who sent me on errand and those to whom I delivered the message to judge if I did well on the assignment.
Any message to the younger generation relating to their roles as Catholics in the world?
I will advise my younger ones to look beyond the challenges of the moment and make sure that they make their marks in the areas of their strength. They’re are called to serve humanity and to make the best use of their talents. They must identify their talents and use them well for the good of all.
Nigerians across the country are lamenting the hardships in the land, crying for urgent measures by the government at all levels to mitigate their sufferings which they say is becoming intolerable. What is your take?
We are all in it, except for some politicians who do not see it that way. The government must do something urgently before the people become too angry and unable to bear the pains. Government cannot continue to make promises, while politicians are receiving jumbo pays and the so called “letters in their mailbox” to enjoy their holidays. Nigerians are not stupid, they are just being a bit patient to see if the promises will be fulfilled.
How do you think government can genuinely tackle the myriad of problems, including massive killings by terrorists, herdsmen and bandits; extremely high cost of living, undermining of the education system, rising tax burden on citizens and businesses, perennially poor electricity supply, decay in infrastructure among other challenges?
The first thing is for the government to get serious on their electoral promises. They are in office because they promised to make life better for the people. That cannot be seen at present. The people won’t wait forever on hopes that are not realisable. We need capable hands in charge of the various departments of governance in this country, not just recycling politicians and rewarding those who have contributed to electoral victory. When the country gets better, everyone will benefit.
Congratulations Very Rev. Fr. Olaitan on your 25th Ordination Anniversary. May God bless you, keep you safe and healthy for many years to come.