By Nna Anulumadu
The Chief Shepherd of Onitsha Archdiocese His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke recently called on Christians to avoid being stumbling blocks to priests in the discharge of their primary assignment.
The prelate made the call during ordination of 16 new priests at the Basilica of Most Holy Trinitas Onitsha.
In his homily,titled,”Living our lives in the name of the person of Christ”, he described priesthood as a mystery and a divine call for stewardship in the vineyard of the Lord.
While explaining the mystery of priesthood, Archbishop Okeke pointed out that good families are bedrocks where candidates of priesthood are nurtured as they feel the urge.
Describing priesthood as the sacrament of Holy Orders,the Archbishop explained that at ordination,the new priests is configured to the person of Christ and lives his life in “persona Christi”(in the person of Christ).
According to the Archbishop,before a priest is ordained,there will be interrogation whether the candidate was resolved to sacrifice himself every day for the salvation of souls as well as detachment from worldly things in the form of poverty,chastity and obedience.
The Archbishop among other things said that in priesthood,obedience summarizes every injunction as the strongest of all.
He charged the people of God to support the new priests in discharge of their priestly duties,warning them not to constitute a hindrance to their lives but offer advise when the need arises.
