Let us walk together in unity, Archbishop Martins enjoins Priests, Faithful

By Neta Nwosu

• Tasks of the faithful to promote unity among priests

Most Reverend (Dr) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos Metropolitan See, has charged the people of God in the Archdiocese of Lagos to manifest unity by fostering good relations with God and with each other. In his pastoral letter to the priests of the archdiocese, entitled “Walking together: walking in unity as brothers in Christ”, on the occasion of the 2024 edition of the Chrism Mass, the archbishop stressed that the vocation priesthood is a call to be one priesthood. with Jesus and with each other, just as Jesus and his Father are one.

He said: “Today we gather to celebrate the sacred priesthood, a divine gift and the greatest privilege that God has ever bestowed on men. This moment calls us to renew our commitment to unity as brothers in Christ. At the heart of our priestly vocation is unity with Christ and fellow priests, reflecting the priesthood of Christ and his communion with the Church. “Our relationship with the bishop and with each other must reflect the relationship between Jesus and his disciples and the disciples with each other.” Archbishop Martins asked the prophet Amos' fundamental question to the priests: “Can two people walk together unless they agree?”

He advised clergy: “Our unity has its ultimate root in the unity of the Trinity and in the bond of love that leads to working and walking together, united in heart and mind. St. Paul also challenges us in Ephesians 4:1-6: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bear with one another with love. Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. The archbishop urged clergy not to be in conflict with one another, warning that the exercise of the priesthood must serve as a worthy example, a beacon of hope and reconciliation for those it serves. “St. Paul's warning is indicative of the need to make deliberate efforts to work toward greater unity.

Cardinal Robert Sarah once said, “The sign of Satan is division. Today there are serious conflicts among the clergy and the devil is celebrating. The devil loves to divide the Church. The prince of darkness first wants to sow opposition among us. He sets a terrible trap for us… (and) tries to tear the Church apart, first by attacking the priesthood,''Satan intends to destroy the Church by attacking the priests and sowing division among them and in teaching the doctrines of the faith. . He is horrified by the liturgy, the sacraments and apostolic succession. By trying to express his hatred towards consecrated people, he intends to ridicule the Church. The priests scare him because they are the ministers of mercy,'' he said.

The prelate charged the priests: “Therefore, our unity must transcend simple personal relationships; it must permeate our teaching, our preaching, the communication of the teaching of the Church, the exercise of the charisms, the prayers and the other services that we offer. It must find an echo in our parishes, our deaneries and our archdiocesan activities. In other words: “Our unity will be forged around the truth of Catholic doctrine. We owe the Christian people a clear, firm and stable teaching.'' (Cardinal Robert Sarah). His pastoral letter pleaded in part for a clergy driven by a team spirit: “In the exercise of our priestly fraternity, we are confronted with challenges, uncertainties and temptations. However, it is because of our vulnerability that God wishes to give us strength through his grace and his unity with our fellow priests.

We can draw inspiration from the interconnectivity and interdependence of the spider's web, where each strand, although delicate, contributes to the strength and resilience of the web. Just as a single strand cannot weave the web alone, we cannot thrive in isolation. A single broom is easy to break, but a bunch of brooms are not. The priestly journey would be long and lonely if carried out without unity. The Chief Shepherd charged priests to embrace diversity within the priesthood, valuing the distinct differences that make each priest special and unique for an enriched Church. He said, “While unity is our goal, we must also recognize and embrace diversity within the priesthood.

Each priest brings unique gifts, talents, and experiences that enrich our shared faith and ministry. Despite our differences, we are all full members of the Body of Christ, called to work harmoniously for the Gospel and the Church. Our gifts and talents should not lead to unhealthy competition or rivalry of any kind; and even less to self-aggrandizement. Rather, they should be used in the service of the kingdom of God and the good of the Church. Mother Thérèse reminds us that unity among priests is essential for the flourishing of the Church. Like the fingers of a hand, each priest has a unique role to play, but together they form a powerful force for good. Bishop Martins urged priests to remain vigilant in supporting and uplifting each other along the way.

He explained, “Whether it's fellowship gatherings, spiritual retreats, or simple acts of kindness like lending a listening ear, making a phone call, sending a text message, paying a visit, or offering advice, let's concerted efforts. connecting with our brethren in the priesthood, providing affirmation, encouragement, and prayer. This solidarity strengthens our brotherhood and reinforces our dedication to serving the people of God with joy and compassion. Saint Thomas Aquinas reminds us that fraternity among priests is not a luxury but a necessity.

Through our unity and mutual support, we bear witness to the love of Christ and strengthen the body of Christ, the Church. The prelate further charged the lay faithful to unite the priests rather than divide them. His pastoral letter read: “To our dear lay faithful, I implore you to foster unity among priests and assist them in their ministry of unity in the Church. I urge you to cherish the varied gifts and talents that different priests bring to their ministry in order to promote the development of each person rather than comparisons which can only promote division. “Lift up your priests in prayer, asking God to endow them with wisdom, strength and holiness in their vocation.

Show your appreciation for their service and dedication; simple gestures, such as an expression of thanks or words of encouragement, can go a long way. If any of them fails or buckles under the weight of the burden of the priesthood, we urge you to bring them to God in prayer and correct them carefully and lovingly. “Actively participate in parish activities, look for opportunities to contribute to parish initiatives, promote charitable communication, show compassion and patience with your priest, practice the values ​​of forgiveness and reconciliation.