“The Priest must renew his life every day with prayer”: Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, at Chrism Mass

That is why, he explained citing 1 Peter 5:8, “the Priest must renew his life every day with prayer, then celebration of the Holy Mass to keep himself alert, attentive, and to be sensitive that the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese since his installation in December 2019 went on to highlight some of the temptations in the life of Priests. 

“Temptation to money, temptation to power, temptation to things of the flesh, these are also able to assault the Priest,” he said, and added, “For the Priest who is well rooted in Christ and dedicated in serving Him and His people, Christ will provide the graces. And all these temptations will melt before him.”

Archbishop Kaigama highlighted the temptation to money as one of particular concern. He said, “I want my Priests to know that the Catholic Priesthood is a vocation not a career or a money-making venture. It is not for buying and selling or show business but for service to God’s people.”

“The Lord’s reward is, more than Dollars, Naira, or Pounds. The Lord offers us His love and redemption through the price He paid on the cross. There is no peace greater than His forgiveness, and there is no price greater than His blood shed for our sake,” he emphasized during the March 27 Chrism Mass that is traditionally celebrated on Holy Thursday. 

He underscored the mission of Catholic Priests, saying the vocation to the Priesthood is “not to become attention-seekers, or of worldly rewards but to lead those entrusted to our care to Christ.”

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese encouraged Priests at the March 27 celebration to interact with one another. Chrism Mass, he said, “is an opportunity for us the Priests to talk to themselves. We have always been talking to people but this time we need to talk to ourselves.”

He went on to appeal to the Laity to pray for their Priests “so that they don’t fall into temptation of any kind.”

Archbishop Kaigama also called upon Nigerians to remain hopeful in the face of economic challenges. “I am telling Nigerians that once there is life, there is hope. We shouldn't give up,” he said.

“While we tell the people to be patient and to keep trusting in the Lord, we are also telling our leaders to open their eyes. There is hardship, there is suffering in the land,” he said. 

Nigeria’s political leaders, the Catholic Archbishop observed, may not be aware of the challenges of the ordinary citizens “because they are well cushioned in their offices, in their homes. They have all that they need. There is electricity, there is water flowing, everywhere is clean.”

“It's not right that they should close their eyes to the suffering of the people,” Archbishop Kaigama appealed to the leadership of Africa’s most populous nation, and added, “You have been chosen to help the people, to alleviate their pains and sufferings. So don't concentrate on yourself, your family or on your constituency. Do something for the people.”

Meanwhile, in Angola, Bishop Firmino David of the country’s Catholic Diocese of Sumbe has cautioned Priests against individualism, arrogance and greed. 

In his anticipated March 26 Chrism Mass, Bishop Firmino urged Priests in his Episcopal See to draw inspiration from the Good Samaritan in the parable by Luke.

“The Priesthood walks alongside the good and generous Samaritan, who, free of all labels and structures, is able to interrupt his journey, change his programs, be available, opening himself up to the surprise of the man wounded by pride,” he said during the Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of the Conception Cathedral of Sumbe Diocese.

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The Angolan Catholic Bishop added, “Our ever-changing world presents us with many attractions and draws Priests away from the world of righteousness, justice and honesty, so Priests must not put prayer on the back burner.” 

In the face of the temptations and “attractions” of the world, the 61-year-old Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry last July following his appointment in May 2023 emphasized “firm prayer on the part of the Priest.”

“May our Priestly communities be imbued with love, forgiveness, tenderness, affection and a spirit of understanding,” he said

Bishop Firmino also thanked members of the Clergy for giving their lives to the service of the Church. He said, “The Church thanks you for the work you do for the communities. Many of you work in difficult conditions and for your sacrifice and dedication, we thank you.”

João Vissesse and Abah Anthony John contributed to the writing of this story