It was a memorable day for Uromi Diocese, as five deacons were raised to the Order of Priesthood on the 30th day of December, 2016, at St. Anthony Cathedral, Uromi. The newly ordained Priests were: Rev. Frs. Alexander Ononwanse, Amos Olenin, Fredrick Asuelimen, Leonard Elomien and Martin Umanhonlen. The celebration drew a large crowd of Priests, Religious, Seminarians and lay faithful from within and outside the diocese. The Mass which began at 10:00 am was presided over by the Bishop of Uromi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Donatus Ogun.
The Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Oboh, in his welcome address, gave thanks to God for bringing all together for the ordination and he prayed that the good Lord to keep the diocese in His grace in the forthcoming year. He thanked and welcomed the Bishop for coming to ordain five of his sons as Priests. He also welcomed the Vicar General of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Omonlumen and the families of the candidates. Finally, on behalf of the Bishop, welcomed everyone present.
The bishop in his opening remarks, said that it was a special day for the diocese of Uromi, because five new hands were being added to the presbyterium of the diocese. He thanked the families of the ordinands for giving them as gifts to the Church as well as their Formators in a special way for journeying with them through their years of formation.
In his homily titled: THE PRIEST IS NOT HIS OWN, the Bishop reminded all present that the priest belongs to God and to the people. He is chosen and sent to the people. His relevance is based on the outcome of his work with the people. The priests are chosen not because they are the best, but because they are God’s choice. Bishop Ogun said that everyone is created for a purpose, and in his words: “Today, these five young men to be ordained are achieving their purpose. As priests, you do not choose what you want to do but you do what God and the Church wants. Just as the priest is not his own, the message he is to deliver is not his own, hence, the people must be fed daily with the word of God. The people too have the right to proper blessing from the priest. No priest has the right to abuse the people of God, rather, the priest is meant to bless the people.”
Bishop Ogun reminded the ordinands that they are being sent out to influence the holiness of the people positively, and to be the light of the world, to show the way and to form the people. The priest’s spirituality would go a long way to determine the spirituality of the people. For this reason, the priest must learn to listen to God carefully and also listen to the problems of the people.
On the part of the people, Bishop Ogun urged them to always pray for their priests, for the priesthood is not an easy task. The people must learn to correct the priest politely, and with love. The bishop then prayed for the ordinands that they may be holy and be able to affect the people of God with their holiness.
After the homily, the rite of ordination was done by the bishop after which the newly ordained priests took their place beside the bishop on the sanctuary for the remaining part of the Mass.
Just before the close of the Mass, the Ordination/Profession Commission presented various gift items to the newly ordained in the name of the diocese, and this was followed by the vote of thanks by the Chancellor – Very Rev. Fr Odenore.
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