Abuja, 08 July, 2025 / 9:30 PM
John Cardinal Onaiyekan has called upon the 14 Nigerian Catholic Priests, who have been commissioned to Europe and the U.S. to minister with joy, to remain humble, and to foster spiritual responsibility.
In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a commissioning Mass of the Priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja held at St. Gabriel Chaplaincy of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) on Sunday, July 6, Cardinal Onaiyekan cautioned the 14 Priests against considering themselves as migrants.
“You are bearers of Christ, not migrants. When a Nigerian Priest is sent on mission—say, to the United States, the UK, or other developed countries—it is not a form of “japa” (travelling for greener pastures), or to be mistaken for economic migration,” the Nigerian Cardinal said.
He added, “A Priest who has been sent to minister, to serve, and to evangelize is not leaving for personal gain. He is going in obedience to the Church’s mandate, bearing the light of Christ into a land that may be materially wealthy but spiritually impoverished.”
“Many of the countries that once sent missionaries to us are now in deep need of spiritual revival. We are bold enough to offer back the faith they once gave us, purified and strengthened through our own trials,” Cardinal Onaiyekan said.
The Archbishop emeritus of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese acknowledged the demanding nature of the missionary task, particularly in regions experiencing poverty, instability, and religious indifference.
He emphasized that “mission is not about comfort. It’s about fidelity.”
On the formation of Diocesan Priests for mission, Cardinal Onaiyekan noted that while Religious Congregations are specifically trained for cross-cultural evangelization, Diocesan Clergy must also be equipped both pastorally and culturally.
“As we now send Priests to Europe, America, Asia, and other African countries, they must be equipped not only theologically, but also culturally and pastorally,” the Cardinal who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 1983 as Auxiliary Bishop of Nigeria’s Ilorin Catholic Diocese, told ACI Africa.
He commended the Catholic Secretariat’s Department of Mission for organizing such training programs, calling them “a step in the right direction.”
Cardinal Onaiyekan called on the people of God to support missionary work in every possible way—through prayer, financial support, and encouragement of vocations.
“The laity can do a lot for the mission. Not everyone will travel across borders, but everyone can be a missionary,” he said.
The Cardinal added, “Support the work of our missionary Priests, spiritually, materially, morally. Pray for them. Contribute when they appeal for assistance. Encourage vocations and above all, live your faith wherever you are.”
He emphasized that the Church’s mission is “not limited to those in clerical robes. Every baptized Christian shares in this call. Whether you are sent or you are sending, whether you go or support those who go, what matters is that your heart is on fire for the kingdom of God.”
Addressing the newly commissioned Priests, Cardinal Onaiyekan said, “Go forth in peace and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Be joyful, be humble, be faithful. The mission is God’s, not yours—you are only His instrument.”
The 81-year-old Nigerian Cardinal urged all Catholics to find their joy not in recognition or success but in intimacy with God.
He said, “Rejoice, not because the spirits obey you, but because your names are written in heaven.”
The 14 Catholic Priests commissioned during the July 6 Mass include Fr. Nwode Godwin Oje, Fr. Robert Saater Achiaga, Fr. John Paul Gabriel, Fr. La’ah Lawrence, Fr. John Ikpochi Itodo, Fr. Ogbanje Elaigwu Edwin, Fr. Adebo Matthew Ocheola, Fr. Benjamin Sunday Entonu, Fr. Audu Dominic Elaigwu, Fr. Odo Peter Okopi, Fr. Audu Oyine Peter, Fr. Benedict Onakpoma, Fr. Matthew Onoja Gilbert, and Fr. Samson Osagie.
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