News Editor
By David Odama
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Rev Dr David Ajang has charged priests to prioritise the welfare of the poor and vulnerable in the society to give them a sense of belonging.
Bishop Ajang gave the charge during the ordination ceremony of four priests on Thursday at St William’s Cathedral Lafia, Nasarawa State.
He said, the Catholic church from time in memorial, taking example from Jesus Christ who deeply cared about the poor and down trodden, has prioritised the welfare of the poor in the society, providing for their needs to alleviate their sufferings which priests must imbibe.
According to him, the Church has specially dedicated to charity in the account books of the parishes across the world, noting that the apostolate of priests cannot be complete without taking deliberate steps towards helping the poor and marginalised in the society.
Ajang stated that Nigeria was currently facing economic crisis resulting to the high cost of living which has made it difficult for the poor and vulnerable to live a good life.
He said, ” For most people especially the young, the situation in this country has never been this bad. While corruption and several years of mis-governace are said to be the remote causes of the crisis, the twin policies of the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira are said to be the immediate causes.
” The resultant effect is that , inflation rate is high. Food inflation stands at 40.9% and the exchange rate of the naira to dollar is at all time high of N1647 to 1 dollar.
” The prices of staple foods keep rising at an astronomical rate .As if that is not bad enough, the recent collapse of the National Grid has further compounded the situation as 17 Northern states including Nasarawa were affected by the collapse of the National Grid. This has affected small and medium entreprises that are need electricity to operate.
” Agriculture which has the power to save the country out of its present economic crisis does not get the support it requires as it appears like either the present government has little or no interest in the agricultural sector or not able to stop terrorists from ceasing farmers away from their farmlands.”
He, therefore called on the government to address the current economic issues confronting the country to ensure the well-being of its citizenry.
Speaking on the obligations of newly ordained priests, the Bishop said they must preach the gospel in the language that the people will understand which he said must be simple, clear and undiluted.
He described as unfortunate how many men of God have influenced their congregations negatively with false teaching, noting that some marriages have separated due to wrong teaching by insincere preachers of the gospel.
Ajang also said that priests must be men of conviction by believing what they preach and be role models to people in order draw them closer to God.
He, therefore called on the congregation to pray for the newly ordained priests to enable them carryout their work diligently and win souls for christ.
In his remarks, the Vicar General of Lafia Diocese, Very Rev Fr Matthew Ofoku, expressed gratitude to God for adding new labourers to His Vineyard.
Fr Ofoku also thanked the newly ordained priests for embracing their calling to priesthood and prayed God to make them take after the pattern of Jesus Christ.
He congratulated the parents of the ordained priests for freely giving them out to the church and assisting them to discern their vocation and prayed God to bless them abundantly.
On his part, one of the newly ordained, Rev Fr Ignatius Abugu who spoke on behalf of the other priests , thanked God for making the day a reality.
Fr Abugu equally appreciated Bishop Ajang, their formators, priests of the Diocese , their parents and all who contributed to the success of their ordination.
He, promised that they will take care of those that would be entrusted onto their care and called on the congregation to pray for them to enable them succeed in their vocation.
The Voice reports that those ordained include; Rev Fr Ignatius W Abugu, Rev Fr Godwin Joseph, Rev Fr Michael Ibrahim and Rev Fr Richard Chukwu.
