Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Cautions against Using “God-given talents to oppress people”

He acknowledged the importance of communal life that involves reaching out to each other in service and emphasized the need to use talents to foster good human relationships.

As God’s children and human beings, Bishop Ajakaye said, “We are relational people and God has created us to be helpers to one another.”

“We have been created by God to relate and identify with ourselves, people in our Parishes, churches, people in our neighborhoods, and people in our workplaces,” he said in his July 31 homily.

The Local Ordinary of Ekiti Diocese cautioned against individualism and isolation, saying such styles of life do not reflect the nature of followers of Christ.

“Christians who isolate themselves and their churches in comfortable exclusive neighborhoods must know that the Church is inclusive, and not exclusive,” he said, and added, “We, Christ’s followers, need one another’s inspiration and encouragement.”

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He advocated for the fostering of the way of being church through Small Christian Communities (SCCs), which he said enhances communion, love and unity among the people of God.

“In love, friendship and dedication, continue to relate to other people, and do not overlook your direct relationship with God (Jesus Christ) through prayer, Bible reading and regular worship with fellow Christians and other people as well,” he said.

Bishop Ajakaye who started his Episcopal Ministry in July 2008 as Coadjutor Bishop of Ekiti Diocese reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading about the rich fool, saying, “Life without reference to God is absurdity.”

“My brothers, sisters and friends, concern for the future is good stewardship. It portrays good planning. But if concern becomes greed, egotism, keeping up with the neighbors, inspired by the philosophy that ‘we live only once’, then, you are in trouble,” the 60-year-old Nigerian Bishop who has been at the helm of Ekiti Diocese since April 2010 said.

He added, “We must continue to remind ourselves that we are only God’s stewards of all that we possess. Thus, God should always be at the center of our lives, not on the fringes, edges.”

He urged the people of God to “be concerned about” the less fortunate in the society as well as those who are involved in vices such as corruption, murder, and other forms of crime. 

“God would like us, His children, no matter our status and position, to do good and be concerned about our fellow human beings, our neighbors, who are in the grip of suffering and evil,” Bishop Ajakaye said in his July 31 homily.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.