By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode witnessed a historic spiritual awakening this past weekend as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, concluded a four-day pastoral visit. The visit, which spanned from Friday, April 10, to Monday, April 13, 2026, was marked by high-level diplomatic engagements, the ordination of new priests, and a deep immersion into the local culture and youth apostolate.

The Papal Nuncio arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 8:00 am on Friday, April 10, welcomed by the Bishop and his entourage. His first port of call was a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the Government House.

During the meeting, the Governor praised the Catholic Church for its contributions to education and healthcare, while the Nuncio emphasized the Holy Father’s commitment to peace and inter-religious harmony in Nigeria.

By Friday evening, the atmosphere shifted from diplomatic to pastoral as the Nuncio arrived at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Sagamu. There, he was warmly received by the priests and religious of the Diocese for an evening of prayer and fraternal interaction.

The highlight of Saturday’s itinerary was the solemn Eucharistic Celebration at Christ the King Catholic College (CKCC), Odolewu. In a colourful and grace-filled ceremony, Archbishop Crotty ordained ten deacons into the sacred order of the Priesthood.

Following the ordination, the Nuncio and Bishop Adesina held a joint press conference. Addressing a pool of national and local media organizations, the Nuncio expressed his joy at the “vibrancy of faith” in Ijebu-Ode and urged the new priests to be “shepherds after the heart of Christ.”

On Sunday, April 12, the Cathedral of St. Sebastian was filled to capacity for a Thanksgiving Mass. The service was followed by a reception where the Nuncio engaged with the Laity Groups by Acknowledging their role as the “salt of the earth. He also engaged the Ijebu Sons and Daughters in Diaspora, encouraging them to remain connected to their roots and faith.

The evening took a cultural turn as the Nuncio toured the Diocesan Chancery and met with the Catholic Obas and Chiefs of Ijebu Land. The day’s activities culminated in the commissioning of the Diocesan Museum of Art and History, a project aimed at preserving the rich intersection of Catholic faith and Ijebu cultural heritage.

The visit drew to a close on Monday, April 13, at Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele. The Nuncio celebrated Mass with a massive gathering of young people from various groups, including the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) and Holy Childhood Association (HCA). He met with representations of all the primary and secondary school students of the Diocese. Archbishop Crotty encouraged the students to be “protagonists of change” in a modern world.

At approximately 5:00 pm, the Papal Nuncio bid farewell to the Diocese, departing through the newly commissioned Gateway International Airport at Iperu, marking the end of a visit that has left an indelible mark on the faithful of Ijebu-Ode.