Archbishop Kaigama Urges Catholic Priests To Embrace Service, Contentment

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has urged Catholic priests to deploy their calling in serving God and humanity and to embrace contentment in their places of assignment.

Kangana also advised them not to be envious of priests posted to parishes that supposedly enjoy Sunday offerings of rams, goats, and other gifts from parishioners and other people.

Kaigama who gave the advice during the 25 years of successful Priesthood Anniversary of the Vice Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI)), Enugu, Rev. Fr. Christian Anieke,held at the university premise, enjoined priests to accept the responsibilities that go with their places of assignment as God’s choice for them.

Fr. Anieke

“Whether you are a priest serving in the prison to serve prisoners, teaching or others and you don’t enjoy what the priest in the parish enjoys because of every Sunday’s offerings, don’t be envious.

“If your vocation is education, be committed to it and don’t envy the priest who is getting the goat and ram and all that.

“That is where God has called him to be.
Maybe if he gets enough rams and goats, he may give you some even.

“So, do not be saying ‘how I wish I were in his position’. Do exactly what God has asked you to do,” the Archbishop said.

L-R Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama & Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah during the anniversary

He recalled the moments just before cardinals were to choose a new Pope (after Francis passed on) disclosing that people and the media were speculating that the next Pope would come from certain places.

“In spite of all the speculations and the names they put forth, Pope Leo XIV emerged, a man that people did not know much about,” he said.

The clergyman also advised priests to embrace service and be prayerful, pointing out that a priest, whether you are covered or not, in your room, wherever you are, you are a priest.

“This is in accordance to the order of Melchizedek and the gift of the priesthood is so unique that even the most powerful president in the world does not have the power you have,” he said.

Thanking God for Anieke’s life since his ordination 25 years ago, Kaigama lauded the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, for making him to head GOUNI.

He extolled Anieke’s tremendous work and transformation at the university through his internal and external connections and diplomatic contacts and creativity.

This, he said, had brought enormous development to the university and its group of institutions, an indication and evidence that Anieke was taken his mission very seriously.

In his remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State commended Archbishop Kaigama for his deep and insightful homily, explaining that Catholic Church moulded him.

The governor praised Anieke’s virtue of service, selflessness and enduring commitment to education.

Mbah stressed that education was the foundation, a robust human capital development, a cornerstone of progress and the bedrock upon which every society’s future stood, hence, his huge investment in it.

He said he owed a duty to imbued in Enugu children with the right skill sets that would be relevant to them in the 21st century and in workplace, through which, poverty would be eradicated.

“We are celebrating an administrator par excellence and an educator priest who is shaping lives, nurturing communities,
and working for our common good,” Mbah said.

Thanking the participants for attending the programme, Anieke applauded Bishop Emeritus of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji for ordaining him a priest as well as Mbah for supporting him.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the celebration was attended by Bishops, over 100 priest, traditional rulers, friend and government appointees.