The Catholic Archbishop and Metropolitan of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, has urged politicians to uphold honesty and integrity in accordance with Christian values.
Preaching during the Confirmation of 283 parishioners at Holy Ghost Parish, Saburi, a suburb of Abuja, Archbishop Kaigama said, “We need political leaders who are honest and morally upright, leaders who avoid what Mahatma Gandhi described as the seven social sins that can destroy both individuals and society if left unchecked: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, religion without sacrifice and politics without principle.”
The Archbishop Confers the Sacrament of Confirmation.
In a homily titled, “Come, Holy Spirit, Fill the Hearts of the Faithful, and Transform all the Citizens of Nigeria,” the Prelate invoked the “Holy Spirit” to “remove from us insecurity, corrupt governance. Renew your Church, Renew our families, renew Nigeria.”
The former Bishop of Jalingo, Taraba State and Archbishop of Jos, Plateau State, cautioned against tribalism and ethnicity while urging for unity.
“The Holy Spirit does not erase differences; rather, He harmonizes them. Everyone does not have to become Jukun or Igbo or Fulani, Christian or Muslim. What is required is that each person brings his or her unique gifts, and together we work for the common good (cf. 1 Cor 12:7).
Choir members of Holy Ghost Parish, Saburi, a suburb of Abuja.
“In a country like ours, marked by ethnic, political and religious tensions, the message of Pentecost is especially relevant.
More than ever, we must rise above tribalism, hatred, suspicion, and selfishness, and see one another as brothers and sisters, whether Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Tiv, Igala and Gbagyi, Idoma, Nupe, or from any other ethnic group,” Archbishop Kaigama stated.
While making recourse to “May Mary, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit,” he prayed that she teaches “us how to receive the Spirit with humility and faith.”
During the Pastoral visit, which coincided with the feast of the parish, the Archbishop spoke about the significance of the event, urging for unity of spirit.
“Dear parishioners of Holy Ghost Parish, since it is named after the Holy Spirit. I thank your parish priest. I also appreciate the Religious and all the parishioners of Holy Ghost Parish, Saburi.
“The Trinity works in perfect unity and harmony. The Church needs more Spirit-filled Christians, not merely more religious activities, but transformed men and women,” he maintained.
Archbishop Kaigama commissions the Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) hall built by the CMO members.
The highlight of the occasion was the commissioning of a Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) hall built by the CMO members.
He used the occasion to commiserate with the parishioners over the recent windstorm that affected the Church and School in the community.
“The news of the severe damage to your church and school buildings, badly damaged by the storm, made me intensify my prayers for you. May the Lord protect you from every future disaster,” he said.
The Newly Confirmed Parishioners with Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Sam Tumba (1st L), and Curate, Rev. Fr. Solomon Danladi.
He appreciated the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Sam Tumba, who doubles as the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Abuja and his assistant, Rev. Fr. Solomon Danladi, for their commitment and service to God and humanity.
The former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) suggested that the Holy Spirit would transform the country, provided Christians did their best.
“We must never forget that God has not abandoned Nigeria. He is calling each of us to become renewal agents in our various roles as fathers, mothers, and young people. One of the great tragedies among some Christians is that they receive the fire of Pentecost, become excellent Christians inside the Church building but invisible Christians outside it,” the 67-year-old prelate assured.
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama.
