NSUKKA-----Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Godffrey Onah, has asked newly ordained priests in the Diocese to be prepared for the harsh realities of insecurity in the country which has turned men and the church as soft targets by terrorists, kidnappers and other bandits.
Onah spoke on Saturday, while ordaining 11 new priests at St Theresa's Cathedral, Nsukka, Enugu State, on Saturday.
Some the ordained priests include, Rev. Fathers Charles Chukwuemeka Ezeja, Paul Okafor, James Odo and Eric Uroko, among others.
The Bishop also, warned the new priests to brace up for the fight against worldly influences from relatives and friends so as not to be distracted in their apostolic duties.
He explained that Christianity has the greatest force for positive change in the world, adding that those fighting it don't understand what it represents.
His words, "In Nigeria today, it is no longer a hypothetical statement to say that anyone who is a Catholic priest will die violently. It has become a reality that Catholic priests in Nigeria are endangered species. The devil has remembered priests in Nigeria now. Therefore, anyone who is a Catholic priest in Nigeria now should be prepared for death and suffering.
"Yes, we have come to a stage where the church and her priests have become soft targets for criminals, and those responsible for our protection, throw up their arms in helplessness.
"Many have lost their lives but St. Paul said that we are not afraid and God told Jeremiah not to be afraid. This is because priesthood is a call from God. Even before any of you were conceived, you have been called into this ministry of Christ. It is up to you to answer, and if you answer, do not be afraid to tell the truth to the nations of the world.
"When you are sent to preach the gospel and to be servants, please, don't be afraid. Of course, the apostles did not know what they were asking, and Jesus Christ told them too that they didn't know what they were asking for.
"Before we judge the apostles harshly, let us put ourselves in their position. They were following Christ and witnessed all the miracles He was doing but a time came when Christ faced Jerusalem and told the apostles that time has come for him to suffer ,die and rise on the third day. "However, the apostles thought that Christ was going to Jerusalem as a Messiah to drive away the Romans. So, they were asking for positions in a new monarchy, not knowing that Christ was going there to suffer.
"But the cup Christ was talking about was the one He wished that it should pass him by if it was the will of God. With His devotion and unity with the Father, He was afraid of that cup. It was the cup of suffering, pain and death. It is that same cup that awaits all of you and all christians who on their level as participants in the priesthood of Christ, have been called to drink from that cup.
"Christ made it very clear, yes, you will suffer but your suffering has made you servants of all. Don't be afraid, because it is going to be the kind of suffering that brings joy and happiness.
"I have always told people that Christianity is the greatest force for positive change in the world because Christian values restore the dignity of everyone as a children of God, including sinners. Anybody fighting Christianity doesn't understand what it is all about.
"I am not also being arrogant when I say that the Catholic Church has the greatest force for positive change in the world because in no other religion do you find hundreds and thousands of men and women who have sworn before God to sacrifice personal comfort, will and pleasure to advance the cause of love, justice, forgiveness and equality."
