Cleric Tasks Colleagues, Faithfuls On Prayers

The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has called on priests and other faithfuls to cultivate the habit of being prayerful.

Onaga, who made the call while celebrating mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, urged the clergy to always work according to the church doctrine so as not to mislead the people.

“Being prayerful, reciting on the word of God and reading of other spiritual books are the only means we can be close to God and stay away from sin.

“Cultivating the habit of reading the word of God on daily basis is a weapon of warfare while praying often and relying on God’s injunctions is the only way we can make heaven,’’ he said.

He called on the priests to always demonstrate the attitude of holiness to the people they are leading as it would encourage their followers to live a Godly life and be close to God.

The bishop said that Chrism Mass was a special celebration for priests to renew their priesthood vows and to bless the oils used among the faithful till next the Chrism Mass.

Onaga called on the faithful to show faith in solidarity in the three oils that were blessed which included the Chrism oil, cathecumen oil and the oil for the sick.

He said that the oils were very important in the life of every faithful and called on them to feel free in asking the priests to administer them with any one they need at any point in time.

Speaking after the mass, Charles Ikeme, one of the clergymen that officiated during the mass, said the significance of the mass was the renewal of priestly vows by all the ordained priests in Enugu Catholic Diocese.

“It shows total oneness with Christ, for us to imitate Him in everything and call on those aspiring to be priests to be serious minded with fellowship in Christ,’’ he explained.

Rev. Fr. Michael Aluma, who marked his 49 years as a priest, said: “Today reminds me of the first day of ordination as a priest and a remarkable day in the life of every priest because it gives us the opportunity to re-appraise our life of celibacy.’’

The mass featured the renewal of vows by the priests, blessing of oils and presentation of gifts to the bishop.