Politics
THE Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Archbishop Emeritus, Anthony Olubumi Cardinal Okojie, have encouraged the Catholic Archbishop Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, on his service and evangelism.
Sanwo-Olu said that more service to humanity was needed from the priest to sustain peace that the state had been enjoying.
Similarly, the bishop emeritus said that, vigorous evangelism was needed from the cleric to win more souls to the kingdom and decongest hell.
The Lagos governor and the cleric made the calls in congratulatory letters they sent to Adewale Martins on his 40 years ordination and 25 years bishop consecration, sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.
NAN reports that, the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, on Friday flagged off week-long activities to celebrate Adewale Martins stewardship in God’s vineyard.
The bishop, on Saturday in a Holy Mass celebrated at the Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos to concentrate the anniversary, received a papal award of recognition from Pope Francis alongside his classmates, ordained priests same day.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated Adewale Martins for sustaining the status of a revered priest from the inception to date.
He said, ” I join millions of the expansive family of Catholics in Lagos especially, and Nigeria in general, to congratulate you on the anniversary.
“Forty years ago God chose you to be a priest in His vineyard. The role of a priest is one that requires enormous commitment and sacrifice.
“It requires a limitless faith in God to guide and guard as you minister and tend to the people through good and bad times.
” Your life of service is an example and your teachings are precepts to millions of our people.
“As you celebrate these anniversaries, on behalf of the good people of Lagos, I want to thank you. Thank you for your tireless service to God and to the Church.
“Thank you for your commitment to the development of morally upright citizens for Lagos and the larger Nigerian society.
“Thank you for the countless hours of prayers that you and other clergy offer on behalf of our people and our country.
” We see the efforts that you put in to promote peace and progress, and we are truly grateful,” the governor said.
In his message, Okojie said, “we give thanks to God who has led you this far.
“As you celebrate these significant milestones, we urge you to rekindle the fire of faith and zeal for evangelisation which has been your hallmark.
“We pray that the Chief Shepherd gives you many more years of service in His vineyard,” he said.
NAN reports that, Cardinal Okojie handed over the Church to Adewale Martins after his retirement as the Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese.
As part of the activities for the anniversaries, Adewale Martins, will on Thursday ordain a new priests at the Holy Cross Cathedral to sustain the Gospel.(NAN)
A.
September. 19 2023 @ 17:42 GMT |
Tags: Adewale Martins Anthony Olubumi Cardinal Okojie Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu
