AHIARA, NIGERIA - Bishops and priests of the Catholic Church have been cautioned on the need to uphold the sanctity of their anointment and avoid circumstances that could make them confuse or mislead the flock of the Church of Christ. This call was made by John Cardinal Onaiyekan in his homily at the con- celebrated Mass with Priests of Ahiara Diocese, during his maiden interaction with the Presbyterium and other priests of the diocese, as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. The ceremony took place at the Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara, Mbaise, Imo State. His words: “As shepherds in the Church of God, we have a sacred duty not to confuse, less still mislead the flock of Christ, the Church of God, which he bought with the blood of his own son. (cf the speech of St Paul to the elders of Ephesus at Miletus, Acts 20:28).” Calling for cooperation to enable his administration effective and short, Cardinal Onaiyekan stressed the importance of the cooperation of the priests of the diocese saying: “I am offering you, the diocesan curia and indeed the rest of you the clergy of Ahiara, diocesan and religious, my sincere confidence and trust to keep the affairs of the diocese running smoothly. I stretch to you all my hand of fellowship.” The cardinal continued: “On your part, I expect loyalty to your ordinary in utterances and pastoral activities. All this is necessary to get my job done as quickly as possible. It is my priority concern to ensure the unity of the entire presbyterium among themselves as a priestly family., in loyalty to the Church, all for the good of souls.” Cardinal Onaiyekan stressed the need for the deepening of faith and the essence of peace, unity and reconciliation in the life of the Church. Emphasizing the demands of the vocations of priests and bishops in this perspective, Cardinal Onaiyekan said: “We need to affirm and deepen our faith in God and in the mystery of the Church, which is not only human but above all divine, like her divine founder.” Urging the priests to put behind them the crisis and activities of the past, which are unbecoming of Catholic faithful but face the future with hope and faith in God. Cardinal Onaiyekan remarked: “Position have been taken and utterances made which have given rise to a crisis that ought not to have been.” He added: “We must now be ready to leave the past behind us and face the future with a new sense of deep faith in God and in his Church of which we are all proud to be loyal sons and daughters.” He continued: “In our search for peace, unity and reconciliation, we must rely on the almighty hand of God who can do all wonders.” He further stated: “ if we are ambassadors of God’s reconciliation, it is all the more expected of us to be a clear sign of that reconciliation with God and among ourselves.” Stressing the importance of the bishop in the life of the local Church as part of the universal Church, Cardinal Onaiyekan admonished the priests of Ahiara Diocese: “If we are to hear what the Spirit is saying to us, we must be prepared to relinquish rigid positions, be careful about our utterances and discourage rumours that foment divisions and rancour.” Noting that the apostolicity of the local Church is guaranteed by the diocesan bishop, the cardinal urged: “We have to do all we can to build up in our diocese the Church of God that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.”
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 17:17:46 +0000
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