Nigerian Archbishop Appeals to “uncharitable” Political Leaders to Embrace Selflessness

The Yearlong celebration is in honor of the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. 

“In his Apostolic Letter entitled Patris Corde (with a Father’s Heart), he (Pope Francis) describes Joseph as a beloved, tender, courageous, obedient and hardworking father who represents the many doctors, nurses, storekeepers, cleaners, caregivers, transport workers, security personnel, parents, volunteers and many others who render essential services in the most discreet and unnoticed ways,” said Archbishop Kaigama December 13.

The Archbishop said that St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist challenge the people today to be selfless, truthful and kind.

“We all have the duty to reflect Christ to those who are hungry, naked, rejected and neglected and to help them to experience Christ’s joy at Christmas,” he said.

The Nigerian Prelate further asked for prayers from the people of God who were gathered at St. John Mary Vianney Parish for Holy Mass during which the Prelate conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation.

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“Your reason for coming here is to pray. I have come to pray with you and for you, and to ask God to bless the work of your hands, your families, and all you do for the Church. I will also confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on some of you,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

He added, “Since I arrived, I have been blessing people. During the procession, I was blessing you… May these blessings today bear abundant fruits in your lives.”

“But as your chief shepherd, I also need blessing and confirmation from you,” he said, and asked for “unwavering support” from the Christians.

“How can you bless and confirm the Archbishop you may ask?” he posed, and explained, “Pray for me and my work and reassure me of your unwavering support. Since your patron is also the patron Saint of Priests, kindly pray for us Priests to be genuine Priests of God, wholeheartedly serving God among you.”

He urged the people of God in attendance to pray for their Pastors not to be “part-time Priests, pursuing material things, but living out what we preach.”

In his Advent message, the 62-year-old Nigerian Archbishop called upon the people of God in Africa’s most populous country to be careful to distinguish joy from pleasure as they wait for the birth of Jesus.

“Mid-way into our journey of Advent, the Church in Philippians 4:4 calls us to ‘rejoice in the Lord’, because God is about to fulfill His promise to us,” he said.

“There is a clear distinction between joy and pleasure,” Archbishop Kaigama said, and explained, “Nehemiah 8 says the joy of the Lord is our strength. Worldly pleasures never guarantee happiness, but resting and trusting in the Lord does.”

As Christmas approaches, the Prelate said in prayer, “Come, Lord, do not delay. Come to set us free. We await your healing presence.”

Further highlighting the responsibility of the people of God ahead of Christmas, the Nigerian Archbishop said, “On our part, we must clear the pathway of our hearts.”

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“In our world weighed down by unbelief and sin, let us serve the Lord with sincerity of heart, meditate on His word and obey Him and return to His ways,” Archbishop Kaigama said December 13.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.