By Olivia Obijiaku
With decline in the number of men of men and women who go into the Catholic priesthood and the religious life, the Chaplain of St Luke Catholic Chaplaincy, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Rev. Fr. James Akema has called for positive responses to the two vocations, asserting that the future of the Church lies largely with those who fill in the gap.
Disclosing this in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Zaria Diocesan Vocations Sunday, May 10, 2026, the priest called on parents to make their homes nurturing grounds for vocation, even as he assured them, that offering one’s child to serve the Church in such capacities is not a loss but a great gain. He also taught that vocation is not limited to the priesthood and the religious life, but includes the married life, from which the first two emerge.
The clergyman told them, “The Church depends everyday on men and women who are willing to answer to that call. If you cannot say yes to the call of Christ, then there will be a problem tomorrow. The future of the Church depends greatly on those who will say yes to the call of Christ. If among your young people, God is calling someone, do not be afraid, Christ never abandons those He calls. He gives them the grace.”
“It is rather worrisome that some people think of what to get out of this call. Are we creating homes where vocation can grow? Are parents today encouraging their children to listen to the voice of God? Are we speaking positively about the priesthood and consecrated life? A family that gives a son to the priesthood does not lose that child. It is the other way round. It has donated that child to become a shepherd for the Church. So your home can be a nurturing ground for the vocation that God wants to carry out.”
“Vocation means call and God cannot call anybody out of a vacuum. He called Jeremiah, Isaiah and many prophets from somewhere. He has called each and every one of us in our capacities. He has called some to be priests; some to be religious men or women, and some to married life. He has called each and every one of us to carry out the Gospel in our own ability and capacity; and to be a gospel to the people, to preach and to support the Gospel.”
Fr. Akema told them that they must not necessarily respond to the call by going to the mission field, but also by supporting those who do so, financially, prayerfully and by words of encouragement and direction.
