Kattey Hailed Over Lay Readers Ban

The Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta and Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Most Rev. Ignatius C.O. Kattey, has been commended over his decision to ban licensing of unmarried persons as lay readers.

The lay readers who welcomed the development said the move would go a long way to check the standard in the conduct of the lay readers who are also known as lay pastors.

In a communique issued at the end of a three-day Diocesan Lay Readers’ retreat at the Ecumenical centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, the lay pastors expressed, gratitude to Archbishop Kattey on his efforts to ensure that every lay reader is made functional in his or her church.

The President, Diocesan Lay Reader Association, Sir Kelvin Obi and the Chaplain, Rev B.F. Wabara who jointly signed the communique, said the Archbishop’s move to initiate the retreat was timely to make the lay readers better vessels for church growth and development.

They agreed with the Archbishop that in recent times, persons to be licensed as lay readers have been produced in haste and therefore suggested that adequate time and training should be given to would- be lay readers before licensing.

The lay readers observed that in some churches, they were not given adequate responsibility, saying the development had affected their performance. They called for encouragement in the work of the ministry.

They also advocated for continuous training and re-training of lay readers to enhance efficient performance.

They, however, expressed optimism that with the training and exposure at Agbarha-Otor, the lay readers have been equipped and committed to the work of missions and evangelism and stressed the need to make the retreat an annual event.

While acknowledging the structure and authority of the Anglican Church, they supported the move to educate all arms of the church of its workings through workshops and seminar.s

They also pledged their collective support and commitment to the 2012 vision of the Archbishop especially as it concerns the Boys Brigade, the teenage church, etc.