The Arch Bishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama has said that many souls have gone to heaven from Holy Ghost Parish, Makurdi, following 90 years of service to God and humanity.
Bishop Kaigama stated this on Sunday, in his homily at the celebration of 90th anniversary of Holy Ghost parish, Makurdi.
Bishop Kaigama who commended religious leaders and faithful of the Parish said these past 90 years have been years of prayers, dedication to the word of God, service to God and humanity.
He pointed out that the church has not only led many to heaven but has also produced saints on earth; “people who do good things in extra ordinary ways, people who do not do anything to hurt their neighbours.
The Bishop who prayed God not to allow all the efforts and dedication of His children to go to waste encouraged all to be steadfast saying “We must not relent. We must continue in the service of God.”
While he appealed to parishioners to continue to support Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop of Makurdi Diocese and the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, in building the church and spreading the gospel, Kaigama said “there are over 1.3billion Catholics in the world and everyone has been contributing to the transmission of the gospel across the world.
“Whatever good you can do, do it well. If they send you any where in the name of Christ, go there so we can all join in being saints in heaven and may God bless you all 90 times 90,” he told parishioners.
To the children, Bishop Kaigama urged every one of them to imbibe discipline saying “if you are in school, be serious with your studies and and at home, work hard. If we imbibe all we are taught in school, the society will be a better place.”
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Also speaking on EndSARS protests that rocked the country, Bishop Kaigama said the youth have again highlighted what the Catholic Bishop conference have been talking about and expressed the hope that their protests will awaken the political will in the leaders and in everyone who should do something about it.
“Let us not pretend that there is no problem in the country. Let us not behave like the Ostrich that buries its head in the sand and behave like there is no danger. There is danger. The brutality we are suffering in the hands of the police was enough and the youths have said it.
The Catholic conference has been saying it. Stop corruption, stop corruption so that the wealth of the nation can go round. We kept saying that but they didn’t listen. Now, the youth has said it. I hope it will wake us all and I hope that the next political dispensation will be a different one.
“Not of selfish interest but with values. We have been driven by selfish, self centered materialistic interest, by religious, tribal partisan political sentiments and that is why we can’t grow. We make one step forward and three steps backwards, the youths are determined to change this.”
He therefore urged the youths to continue to be peaceful and not allow the bad ones to destroy what they started, with killing and looting.
He expressed the hope that change will come, insisting that “This world is not our home we have little time here so let us use the little time to embrace ourselves and embrace peace
“Force won’t bring peace
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be sons and daughters of of God. Let us embrace peace so we can see God,” Kaigama said.
During the event, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on over 200 candidates urging them to be active members and contribute to the growth of the church.
