Eleven Newly Ordained Priests in Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese Urged to Embrace Vocation “without counting cost”

Abuja, 16 December, 2025 / 6:46 PM

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has urged 11 Deacons he ordained Priests in his Episcopal See to serve selflessly “without counting the cost.”

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the December 13 Priestly ordination, Archbishop Kaigama said the call to the Priesthood leaves no room for half measures.

He said that set to serve in Nigeria “despite the current challenges”, the newly ordained Priests “should embrace their Priestly vocation without counting the cost”, and must “give all they have.”

“That is the ideal,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said.

He noted that the Priesthood is rooted in sacrifice and obedience, drawing its meaning from the example of Jesus Christ. 

“We are praying that these Priests, like Jesus, will give everything they have. Leaving nothing for themselves. They should know they took the vow of obedience, the vow of celibacy, and the vow of selfless service,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He reminded the 11 Priests that the vows they took at ordination are lifelong commitments that must shape their actions and decisions.

“They took the vow of obedience. They took the vow of celibacy. They took the vow of selfless service; we hope and pray this is what they will keep in the rest of their priestly life,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

Addressing the social realities the new Priests could face, the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop acknowledged that the country is experiencing difficult times marked by insecurity, poverty and uncertainty. 

He said such conditions explain the urgent need for committed Priests who can offer guidance and hope.

“Our country, Nigeria, is not having the best of times. From the child to the adult, even to the elderly, they know what we are going through. And that is why Priests are ordained to provide hope to the people in a country where people are giving up hope,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

He urged the new Priests to identify closely with the people they serve and to respond creatively to their struggles.

“Let them go into the society, identify with the people, and be creative in how they can mobilize the people to respond to the situation,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader noted that Priests must serve as sources of encouragement and support, whether through spiritual guidance or social engagement.

He pointed to the large crowd at the ordination Mass as evidence that people still long for hope and reassurance.

“Look at the thousands and thousands of people here, they have come not because we are distributing money, or jobs, or food, but because we are offering hope,” Archbishop Kaigama said. 

He added, “Once there is life, there is hope. So these Priests will go preaching the good news of love, unity, and peace, and never to give up.”

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said society needs Priests who live authentic and holy lives.

He said people seek Priests who can influence, guide, and inspire them through personal integrity and closeness to God.

“People are looking for holy Priests who will guide them,” he said. 

Archbishop Kaigama further emphasized that the promises made at ordination are a personal commitment between each Priest and God. 

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, also highlighted the role of families in nurturing Priestly vocations, noting that faith is often first learned at home. 

“The Lord calls, but the families have a role to play, through good example, a father and mother that pray always inject something into the young man,” he said. 

Archbishop Kaigama explained that children absorb attitudes and values at an early stage and often mirror what they observe in their parents.

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“When parents pray often, attend Church, and give to the Church even in poverty, the child sees it, and it enters the heart of the child,”  he said.

As Christmas approaches, Archbishop Kaigama offered a message of hope rooted in faith in Christ, saying, “The Lord comes and tells us he is Emmanuel, we should not be afraid, ashamed, or doubtful. He is God with us, and that is our joy.”

Abah Anthony John contributed to this story.