By Rev Fr. Anthony Adetayo Catholic Diocese of Ijebu Ode

As the diocese gathered for the inaugural Mass concelebrated by all the Priests in the company of the Religious and laity ably represented by the parishioners of St. Anthony’s, Ayegbami Sagamu, on Tuesday 7th January 2020, the Bishop of Ijebu ode diocese, Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina exclaimed this year as the year for him and for all.

The Holy Mass began at 10:00am presided by the Bishop and he addressed the Priests and Religious after the Mass.

In his about 30 minutes speech the Bishop read to the hearing of everyone in attendance his ‘manifesto’ for the new year. According to the Bishop “I have enjoyed a warm welcome. Thank you for your patience and understanding. This is our year”

The members of the listening congregation were calmly excited to hear these words from the chief Shepherd of the diocese. He said, “Five months after the Jubilee celebration of the diocese, we must reflect on the theme “Beyond the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Catholic diocese of Ijebu Ode. What are the spiritual, pastoral and administrative gains of the celebration. How can they be sustained?”

The Bishop emphasized the importance of the following as a way forward in the new year;
Priests and Religious relationship must remain joyful and cordial. We should see ourselves as agents of evangelization with a need for more effective collaboration.

Support local church: The Bishop reiterates that priests and religious must be sensitive to the local content of Ijebu Ode diocese. Everyone must sustain the indigenous church and Yoruba language must be taken seriously.

Teach catechism: The Bishop is the chief Shepherd and chief catechist of the diocese. He emphasized the importance of the involvement of priests and religious in teaching catechism. ‘This year we must value it more’

Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue: The Bishop encouraged the priests and religious to relate with people of similar and other faiths. According to him, God works within the 7 sacraments and outside the 7 sacraments.

Other matters the bishop mentioned are; the need to reanimate the diocesan pastoral council, paying of attention to indigenous vocation and preparation for the 2020 International Eucharistic Congress.

The gathering was concluded with the blessing of the Bishop and refreshment.