Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Pastoral Secretary of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade has stated that taking care of children with special needs is the task of all. Fr. Omolade said this while representing the Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin at a Mass to celebrate 2025 World Disability Day; organized by the Congregation of Servant of Charity at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Basorun, on Wednesday 3rd December, 2025.

The Pastoral Secretary welcomed all the children from Homes for persons with special needs, schools, invited guests on behalf of the Chief Host, the Archbishop, who was unavoidably absent at the occasion. Fr. Omolade also appreciated the Congregation of the Servant of Charity for organizing the event, adding that the Archbishop strongly wished the event becomes an Archdiocesan event.

Making reference to the day’s Gospel reading from Matthew 15: 29-37, in which people with different conditions were brought to Jesus and He healed them; Fr Omolade enjoined all present to see that children with special needs are taken care of by all because of some abilities in each one of them.

He said some parents are overwhelmed by the children’s conditions but reminded that they are called not to be, but rather give help to the children, so that the society can progress like the theme of the celebration indicates: “Fostering Disability Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress.”

Fr. Omolade stated further that though “it is difficult but not impossible like Christ says “I have compassion on them”, such is what we should do if we don’t want to be excluded from the society, that is what we should do to these little ones in every aspect of life; schools, society etc. this is a task for us as a Church and individual. It depends on all of us adults and parents.” The priest pointed out.

The Archbishop’s representative said Christ wants us to put ourselves in their shoes. “The things we considered impossible, but is possible. There is ability in disability.” He thanked those involved in the life of the children and admonished all to support them to make our society better, see the face of Christ in them for when we feed those with special needs, we feed ourselves and we feed God.

He concluded by praying that the spirit of St. Francis Xavier, whose memorial is being celebrated on 3rd December help all to consider helping the children with special needs as the apostolate mission of Christ.

Rev. Fr. Mark Mamona, SC appreciated His Grace for granting permission for the celebration. He also thanked Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade, Frs Ekene (Parish Priest of St. Patrick); Charles Onyema; Peter Ibimiluyi; Rev. Srs; Special Guests; Homes and Schools in attendance.

The second part witnessed the presence and presentations of Guest Speaker, Prof. Osisanya Ayo; Barr. Martins Opaleke; Representatives of Oyo State commissioner for Education and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion: Mrs R.O. Awowoye and Mrs C. O. Adediran respectively; St. Loius Sisters from Akure and Parents of the children.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Ayo like other representatives that gave speeches supported the idea of celebrating persons with special needs on every 3rd of December as declared by the United Nations since 1992, since such persons are blessed with gifts and unique talents that call for attention in different aspects of life.

Prof. Ayo called for assessment and evaluation; objective evaluation; provision for equality; making equity available for both able and disable children by letting both interact together; parents making their positions equal to them like to other children; vocational placements through perfectly assessing a child with special needs before placing him/her on a vocation and creating a platform for them to demonstrate their talents, like it is being done at the gathering. Although the Church and Congregations are playing their parts, the Guest Speaker tasked individuals, too, to do something in this regard.

There were questions and answers section, presentations of Goodwill Messages, presentations by Schools, Homes and Individual; unveiling /launching of Catechism Manual produced by the Congregation of the Servant of Charity.

St. Elizabeth Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, Church of the Ascension parish, Bodija presented some gifts to the Congregation; likewise, Sir. Barr. Martins Opaleke pledged financial support to the Congregation towards its charity works.

The Congregation appreciated all for the successful celebration with children with special needs in the Archdiocese of Ibadan as the World celebrated World Disability Day, 2025.