By Bianca Iboma
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has enjoined Nigerians to always respect constituted authority rather than wishing them evil. He added that Nigerians should trust in God for the country to overcome its socio-political, economic and spiritual challenges.
The clergy who was speaking during the ordination of new priests, Fr. Ndaka Gerad Tanko and Fr. Martins Chuibike, at the community worship centre, Society of St. Paul Catholic Church Iju, Lagos State, said:
“We should be anxiously waiting for Buhari, the constituted authority vested with the power to pilot the affairs of the country.
“Nigerians should remain calm and should not heat up the polity with violence, as God will continue to ward off evil storm. I sincerely want the government to do something drastic about the corrupt practices of our public officers who have looted the nation’s treasury blank.
“The corrupt practices of our public officers have brought massive unemployment, which is the root of all he vices, such as terrorism, kidnapping, ritual killings and armed robbery. There is rise in crime rate and we are now living in an unfriendly and unsecured environment. There is fear in the land.
“The government should declare a state of emergency on unemployment. The government must put in place sound economic framework to tackle unemployment. The government should remember that the masses who voted them to power, did not do that so as to inflict them with pains. The prices of commodities are rising daily.
“I think The Church has important role to play in coming to the rescue of the masses. Clerics should not just focus on the spiritual well being of their followers. They have to look for ways to create employment for the teaming youths wasting away in the society. There are other church members who are capable of giving youths jobs.
“The priest should live a holy life and should detach himself from worldly possessions as God has giving them the responsibility to impact lives. You can only be role model when youth dignity is intact. Hence, the need to be faithful in their service to God and humanity.”
He advised them to listen to the Spirit of God and be wholeheartedly committed to their primary assignment of preaching sound gospel rather than political theology.
Rev Fr.Jikson Mullaaiseny said Christians should have faith that every situation is temporary, but God is permanently concerned for the affairs of His people.
He urged the congregation to live a holy life, stressing that it was only righteousness that could exalt a nation.
He said there is no situation that could not be salvaged by God, calling on Christians to unite in prayers to overcome the current challenges:
“He is a loving Father who holds the whole world in His hands. He will certainly care for us. If what we place first in our lives is God’s kingdom and His justice, we will have what we need.”
The cleric noted that it was only through prayers and supplication devoid of sins that the country would come out of its economic challenges.
Chairman of the ordination ceremony, Dr Kajeta Oleforo, admonished Christians to constantly examine their spiritual life: “It is very important and they should always participate in weekly activities.”
He said this would afford them the opportunity to review their past and come up with clean and holy life worthy of emulation.
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