Jalingo Catholic Diocese Ordains Four Priests.
By Christiana Babayo.
The Catholic Diocese of Jalingo has ordained four new priests, marking a significant milestone in the diocese’s mission to spread the word of God.
The ordination ceremony for the priests Rev. Donatus Terzungwe Timothy, Rev. Shonfo Januarius Raphael and Rev. Simon Terzungwe, took place on Friday at the diocese’s cathedral in Jalingo, Taraba state.
In his homily, the Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev Dr Charlse M Hammawa emphasized the importance of unity and oneness among priests, stressing that they must work together as a team to achieve their goals.
He cautioned the ordinandis against pride urging the new priests to strive for humility, cooperation and love for the people whom they have been called to serve.
The Bishop also highlighted the significance of love in the life and ministry of priests, quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, “Love is patient, love is kind… Love never fails.” He encouraged the new priests to cultivate this kind of love in their ministry, sacrificing their own interests for the sake of others.
The four new priests, who have undergone rigorous training and formation, were presented to the congregation as the Bishop urged the lay faithful to pray for the new priests, acknowledging that they are human and prone to mistakes.
“My dear Ordinandi, I beg you, love God! Love the Church! Love the Priesthood! Love the Life and Ministry of the Priesthood! Love the people you have been called to serve! What is this LOVE? Love as God loves. It is a Love that sacrificial, forgetting self, self-abasing giving up and dying for the other, laying down one’s life for another.
“Do not be carried away by the glamour of the title and office. Face the responsibilities and remain focus on your spiritual, pastoral and attendant duties. Do not insist on rights and privileges over and above the essentials of the Life and Ministry of the Priesthood, namely, upholding the sacredness, the honour/dignity and respect of the Office, and the duties and responsibilities.
“To our lay faithful, I say again, pray for your priests always. You are right to expect so much from us for, to him much is given much is expected. But in so expecting, remember we are flesh and blood. Please, show us some understanding by advising and admonishing charitably, and continue with the prayer for us” He said.
The Bishop expressed gratitude to the lay faithful for their support and cooperation, particularly in the training of priests. He acknowledged the improvements in their material and financial contributions, while asking God to bless and reward their generosity.
“I thank you for your continuous cooperation and co-responsibility in all aspects of the Church’s mission and work, particularly your material and financial contributions especially in the training of priests. It has improved considerably well in recent times. May God bless and reward your generosity. Amen. And May He also bless the work of our hands in Jalingo Diocese. Amen”. The Bishop prayed.
As the new priests begin their ministry, they are expected to embody the values of love, humility, and cooperation, inspiring the faithful and spreading the message of God’s love and redemption.
