Kaduna, 26 March, 2024 / 9:50 pm (ACI Africa).
The Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria’s Kaduna Archdiocese has highlighted the place of Priests among the people of God, emphasizing the role of giving hope and “divine assurance” inspired by the Gospel.
Archbishop Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso who was presiding over the anticipated Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 26 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral of his Metropolitan See said many Nigerians have lost hope in life, a phenomenon demonstrated by increased cases of suicide in the country.
“Priests are ministers of the Gospel. Priests are ministers of hope. Priests are ministers of divine assurance,” Archbishop Ndagoso said.
He also identified Priests as “weightlifters”, and explained, “This is what we are called to do: to lift up the heavy burdens that our people carry and give them hope; to lift off the weight from people’s shoulders, to give them the assurance that our master gave when he said come to me all you who labour and are overburdened.”
In Nigeria, the Catholic Archbishop said, “things are very hard; a lot of people have lost hope. Many are taking their lives. In the last one year, the rate of suicide in our country has increased simply because people have lost hope.”
