New Owerri, Nigeria. Ernest Obodo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Enugu, who presided at the Eucharist, encouraged the newly ordained ministers to serve as Christ did, namely:

“Today that you are ordained priests, you must be ordained with a change of mentality. A mentality like that of Christ, who, although he was God, humbled himself to become a servant.”

Reflecting on the Gospel text of Matthew 9:35-38, Bishop Obodo also noted: “there are many priests, but the Lord seeks workers, not entrepreneurs; there are many clerics, but the Lord seeks harvesters because the workers are few”. At a time when the vocation to the priesthood is being questioned, the prelate reminded the ordinands that they are called by the Lord through the Church to exercise their ministry in the peripheries of the world. Vocation is not just a function, but a call from God to be obedient, prayerful, and compassionate.

Addressing the deacons, the bishop reminded them that, among the many functions of a deacon, they must remember that they are called to be servants of others. He appreciated the good will of the lay faithful and asked them to pray for and care for their priests.

The six new priests ordained by Bishop Obodo are: Patrick Kenechukwu Adisionu, Jude Ikechukwu Akujuobi, Peter Claver Onyekachi Amaku, Raphael Chinwuba Chiaha, Emmanuel Terhile Igba, Maxwell Chigozie Nnonyelum, CMFF. The new two deacons are Jude Chidube Nwachukwu and Martin Ugochukwu Ogbuokiri, CMF.

In another Eucharistic celebration held on the same day at Holy Trinity Basilica, Onitsha, Anambra State and presided over by Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha, Rev. Sylvester Chukwudi Omelukam, CMF, along with eighteen other deacons were also ordained priests.

With gratitude and thanksgiving to the merciful God, we joyfully celebrate the ordinations of our brothers of the Major Organism of East Nigeria!

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