,,,Urges Catholic Priests to Shun Materialism, win souls.
By David Okpashi.
THE Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese of Benue State, Most Rev. Isaac -Bundepuun-Dugu, on Saturday, admonished Catholic Priests to shun materialism and focus on winning souls for God.
The Bishop, who decried the life style of most clerics, added that the attitude of most them were impacting negatively on the way and manners Christians were serving God.
The Bishop,who made the call in Lafia, Nasarawa State while delivering his homily at a Mass to mark the 25th Priestly anniversary of Rev. Fr. Gabriel Ngbea, explained that religious leaders must rise to their responsibilities of tackling the menace of getting rich by all means ravaging the country.
Most Rev Fr. Ngbea, ordained on Aug. 15 1998, is the Priest in charge of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ombi 1, Isa Mustapha Agwai the first Polytechnic, Lafia Nasarawa State.
According to the Bishop, clergy as the conscious light of the society, must be role models in all their life-style, what they preach and ensure that they leave an exemplary life at all time.
“The church should deliberately reorient the youth with a view to addressing the alarming rate of social vices and crimes in the country.
“A priest must not be said to be successful through the display of material things, academic qualifications, stubbornness, or arrogance.
“A successful priest should be dedicated, humble, live a life of service to God and humanity and above all strive toward winning more souls to God,” he said.
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Rev. David Ajang, congratulated the celebrant for joining the league of elders in the Priesthood in the Catholic church.
Bishop Ajang explained that only 17 Priests celebrated their silver jubilee out of the 105 Catholic Priests in Lafia Diocese, adding that there were more responsibilities attached to being an elder among the Priests in the church.
“You should be careful in what you do and say, because younger priests are looking up to you as a role model. You must be a guide, and assist others to avoid the same mistakes you made during younger age as a priest.
“Remember your admonition during your ordination; to be good ambassadors of Christ, role models, discipline, sincere, accountable and always stand by what is right which are tody lacking in the society,” Ajang added.
Also speaking at the occasion, Rev. Fr.Gabriel Ngbea, the celebrant expressed gratitude to God for seeing him this far in his service to humanity and also thanked his parents, siblings and all those who provided him with the encouragement in his life.
The occasion had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr.Emmanuel Akabe,Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Goerge Akume, former government officials from Nasarawa and Benue States, Catholic priests within and outside the country as well as friends and family members of the celebrant.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
