By St Benedict Communications Team
Rev. Fr Peter Okoh and Rev. Fr John Eyike, who were recently ordained for the Archdiocese of Benin City. The Mass of thanksgiving began at 9.00am, with Fr. Peter Okoh playing the role of the Chief Celebrant of the Mass. Other priests present were: Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Ehimen, the host Priest, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ehizokhale, Rev. Fr. Andrew Eilenbaluagbon and Rev. Fr. Gregory Abuya from St. Anthony Cathedral Uromi.
In his homily, Fr. Gregory Abuya admonished the newly ordained priests to make effort not to lose consciousness of the fact that priesthood is a call to service of God and humanity, therefore, they should never allow room for arrogance. He encouraged them to be hardworking, make out time to prepare their homilies so that they may be well equipped to feed the people with the word of God. He also told them to respect elderly people in their parishes and be good to their parishioners, both rich and poor. Fr Abuya also advised parishioner not to gossip their priests away because they are human beings and can make mistakes, instead, they should always pray for them and make conscious efforts to meet them and advise them.
High point of the event was the thanksgiving procession of the newly ordained priests in their joyful dancing to the sanctuary for their thanksgiving to God. They were joined by parishioners in the procession.
After the Mass a grand reception was organized for the newly ordained, where gifts were presented to them by the parish, lay apostolate groups, zones and individuals.
By Charles Eguavoen
Every Priestly Ordination is an avenue of thanksgiving to God as new men are called and chosen by God to lead his people to himself . These were the words in paraphrase of the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Benin City, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze to Christians. He made this remark at the Priestly Ordination which took place on Saturday 20th, August 2016, at Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City, in which two sons of Ubiaja Parish were found worthy and ordained into the priesthood: Rev. Fr Peter Okoh and Rev. Fr John Eyike. Rev Fr Peter Okoh hails from Eguare, Ubiaja, while Rev Fr John Eyike hails from Okhuesan, both in Esan South East LGA Edo State. They were both ordained for the Archdiocese of Benin City.
The Priestly Ordination Mass, which began at 10:00 am had in attendance Priests, Religious and Lay faithful, who trooped in their numbers to witness the occassion. At the beginning, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr Dr Michael Oyanoafoh, welcomed everyone and also introduced one of the elderly priests in the Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Victor Emumwen, who has been working in U.S.A for more than four decades.
The first reading was taken from the book of Jeremiah 1:4-9, the Second reading from Hebrews 5:1-10 and Holy Gospel from the book of John 15:9-17. During the homily the Archbishop welcomed everyone present for the ordination. He thanked God for travelling mercies for those who came from far.
Addressing the candidates, the Archbishop stated that every candidate for priesthood is a servant, giving service to God and His people. He added that every Priest is called and should remember the calling always, and should show total obedience to God and his Bishop. He condemned sycophancy and rebellion from Priests and the attitude of advertising themselves, saying such translates into loosing focus of their calling. The Archbishop educated the church on the duties and responsibility of the priest, primary among them is to lead the people in worship and prayer.
Speaking further, Archbishop Akubeze, in congratulating the candidates informed them that God has accepted their sacrifices in the offering of themselves to the service of God, and prayed that God may sustain them in their vocation. They were reminded that the call they have received is to follow the example of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve. He urged the priests to make their lives exemplary to the people.
Archbishop Akubeze appreciated the families that gave their children, parishes that helped nurture them, Seminary formators, sponsors, ordination committee and others, who assisted in one way or the other. He urged the laity to assist their priests and show them respect just as they respect Christ.
It would be recalled that the Ordinands were earlier ordained Deacons as same venue, in December of the previous year. Also ordained alongside Frs Okoh and Eyike were Rev Fr Christopher Okankan, Rev Fr Michael Charles Igbuku and Rev Fr Felix Isedu.
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