Catholic men have been tasked to recommit themselves to the mission of living exemplary lives by modeling themselves as good fathers in the society and exhibit values that make for heaven.
The charge was given by Most Reverend (Dr) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, on the occasion of the 2021 Convention of the Catholic Men Organisation, Lagos Archdiocese with the theme, ‘Men, rise and defend your faith’, held recently at St Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos.
While rejoicing with the Catholic men on their eighth annual convention, Archbishop Martins commended them for the support they offer the Church and society at large.
He said: “We rejoice and celebrate with you on this remarkable event, and we use this medium to express our gratitude to Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria, for the support they offer towards the Church and society. “While we thank God for the life and achievements of the organisation, we encourage you not to rest on your oars, but use this period of your convention to re-commit yourself to the mission of living exemplary lives, modeling yourself as good fathers in our society and the values that make for heaven.”
Speaking on COVID-19 and its adverse effect on the Church, the Archbishop urged the men to take advantage of their convention, to fan into flame the gift of faith and renew their zeal for the Lord’s house.
“The world as we can see is battling a global pandemic and this has affected our lives in almost every way. Not only are we now witnessing the adverse effect on how we practise our faith, we now have to deal with the decline in Mass attendance and the lack of active participation in liturgical activities.
“I urge you, dear Catholic men, to take advantage of this convention to fan into flame, the gift of faith and renew your zeal for the Lord’s house. As we battle the pandemic, let us always remember the assurance of Christ, who said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest,” he said.
Praying for a successful 2021 convention, Archbishop Martins commended the men to the intercession of St Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and to the maternal care of Mary, Mother of the church.
In his homily, Very Reverend Msgr Anthony Obanla, Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and the representative of Archbishop Martins, said the 2021 CMO convention is significant, as it falls on the memorial of St Augustine, and the day before, the memorial of St Monica, who nurtured her son to know and love God.
He said: “The convention this year is important because it falls on the memorial of Augustine, August 28. And yesterday, the church celebrated the memorial of Monica, his mother, a mother who nurtured her son in the right way to know and love God.”
Speaking on the importance of family and how God chose that his son, Jesus be born into the family of Joseph and Mary, Msgr Obanla urged the men to take care of the family God has entrusted to them, just like Joseph took care of his own family.
He charged the men to rise and defend their faith, especially in the face of the turbulence that is being witnessed all over the world.
Very Reverend Father Francis Ike, Chaplain Archdiocesan Chaplain, CMO, while commending the Catholic men, said: “What a man can do, a woman can do better, and the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) can do it best.
“I think in the history of the Archdiocese of Lagos, this will be one of the events that Catholic men will gather like this in their great number.
For Barrister Vincent Otonio, President, Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation, he decried the worsening state of things in the country, as he urged Christians to fight evil in the society.
On COVID-19 and its effects on the church and nation, Barrister Otiono urged the men to take their shots of coronavirus vaccines, as he advised them to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols.
He said: “We experienced things we have never experienced in our lifetime. The whole Church was shut for about six months. Coronavirus has taken every space with various variants still emerging. I, therefore, advise we all take advantage of the availability of the vaccine and take shots, as this reduces hospitalisation and death in severe cases. Refusal or rejecting to be vaccinated would amount to self-inflicted pain.”
He disclosed that with the challenges confronting the nation and world at large, the convention platform for 2021 is dedicated to praying for their families and nation.
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