The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, among others, on Saturday received Pope awards for good stewardship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awards were presented to high priests at a Mass to celebrate the 40 years ordination and 25 years of Adewale-Martins Episcopal consecration, at the Holy Cross Cathedral Church, Lagos.
It was in recognition of their good stewardship in God’s vineyard.
Others that were awarded were the archbishop’s classmates ordained same day with him, known as the class of eight.
The are, Very Rev.Msgr. Edmond Babashay-Akapla, Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Gbenga-Oduntan, Very Rev. Fr Michael Femi-Akintolu, Very Rev.Fr.Alphonsus Iweanya-Ania and Rev. Fr. Paschal Abiodun-Atomori.
Two of the classmates that had died — Very Rev. Msgr. Peter Oke and Very Msgr. Christopher Gbogboade-Ajala, received posthumous awards for their service to God and humanity.
The papal Emissary to the event, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke Bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra, said that there was reward to look up to as a worthy priest.
The papal emissary bestowed the Pope’s blessings on the celebrants and charged them to continue to glow in the works of charity that the team had been known for from inception.
Speaking in his acceptance remark at the event, Adewale Martins thanked God for His grace upon him and the rest of the team, to have been able to sustain their vows as priests.
“As young boys newly admitted in the seminary 40 years ago, our ambition was to become priests.
“It was not our making that we scaled the rigour and got ordained same day in this very cathedral, by the Archbishop Emeritus, Anthony Olubumi Cardinal Okojie.
“We trusted God, and as a group, leaned on Him to guide us to carry out our chartables, that is, our ideals to remain the best we can in the calling,” he said.
Adewale Martins paid tribute to the two departed colleagues, saying they were in heaven with the Father.
He stressed that priesthood as a vocation was challenging, but with God’s grace they were able to triumph.
NAN reports that the event afforded faithful opportunity to celebrate and show love to the priests for their impactful services to society.
