By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu Ode Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina prompted the 2020 Diocesan Pastoral seminar under the direction and brilliant planning of Very. Rev. Fr. Patrick ‘Kunle Balogun, the Vicar for Pastoral Affiars. The seminar was organized by Fr. Matthew Oguleru and other members of the committee which took place between November 30, 2020 and December 4, 2020 at Louis Bautain Retreat Center Itele, Ijebu.
This seminar was to prepare the Priests, Religious and laity on how to better contribute efficiently to the work of evangelization. The talk of the first day was based on Self-reliance. It was anchored by Very Rev. Fr. George Ajana. The talk of the second day was based on the Implementation of the Pastoral Plan by the Pastoral Council. This was delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Balogun while Rev. Fr. Joseph Paul Iyama, a formator in SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan took the “Canonical approach the pastoral council”.

At the end of the seminar which includes other spiritual activities like daily Masses and Office recitation, the Bishop stood up before the Priests and Religious to appreciate them all. He said “I am sincerely grateful and thank you all for this pastoral seminar”. In his usual enthusiastic manner he said “I am so proud of you”. According to him, the Diocesan Pastoral Council is to renew the council members in the various parishes. He said priests should not run the parishes without the prior establishment of the Pastoral Council.
Going forward into the New Year, the Bishop reechoed the following points in his speech
“I want to foster more Religious and Indigenous vocation
“I want to intensify the growth of parish communities”
“I want to strengthen the Catholic education in my Diocese”
“I want to revive the culture of accountability and transparency in the Diocese”
He continued by saying that “we all have agreed to take a bold step to address our remuneration in order to achieve fairness. We all have also agreed to create more pastoral communities in terms of parishes and outstations.” The Bishop concluded by praying that the Lord will strengthen the resolve of all the pastoral agent s working in the Diocese of Ijebu Ode.