Michael OKEOLA

 

The Catholic Diocese of Oyo has received joyful news from the national capital following the conclusion of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). In a significant recognition of his pastoral expertise and leadership, our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has been elected to two pivotal positions within the Conference for the 2026–2028 term.

 

During the election of new Principal Officers and Committee Chairmen, Bishop Badejo was appointed as the Departmental Chairman for Pastoral Affairs. This department serves as a vital engine for the Church in Nigeria, overseeing the spiritual and structural growth of parishes across the country.

 

In addition to this departmental leadership, His Lordship has also been appointed Chairman of the Committee on Liturgy. In this capacity, he will lead the efforts to enrich the prayer life of the faithful, ensuring that our liturgical celebrations remain a source of deep spiritual nourishment and communal transformation.

 

These new appointments came as Bishop Badejo concluded a distinguished 10-year tenure as the Chairman for the Communications Department of the Bishops of Africa (CEPACS). While His Lordship might have looked forward to a period of rest following a decade of continental service, his expertise has once again been called upon to serve the Church at the national level.

 

To further educate the faithful on the workings of the Church hierarchy, it is important to note the significance of these roles. As a Departmental Chairman, Bishop Badejo now joins the President, Vice-President, and Secretary with the rest of the departmental Chairmen of the Conference to constitute the CBCN Administrative Board. This powerful executive body meets at least twice every year to set the agenda and prepare for the CBCN plenary sessions.

 

The plenary also saw the emergence of a new executive team to lead the Conference:

President: Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso (Archbishop of Kaduna)

Vice-President: Most Rev. Alfred Martins (Archbishop of Lagos)

Secretary: Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo (Bishop of Abeokuta)

Assistant Secretary: Most Rev. Peter Chukwu (Bishop of Abakaliki)

 

In the communiqué titled "Leadership for the Common Good," the Bishops addressed the nation's pressing challenges, including persistent insecurity and the need for economic integrity. They specifically called for urgent electoral reforms, advocating for the mandatory real-time transmission of results to restore public trust in the democratic process.

 

Following these appointments, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo spoke regarding his new responsibilities and his vision for the faithful:

A lot has been done before now to optimize the liturgy in the Catholic Church in Nigeria since liturgy is a major vehicle of true worship. My task as Departmental Chairman for the Conference is to enhance what has been done and improve what needs improvement. The focus is to achieve active, participatory, and edifying liturgy which dignifies God and focuses on Him more than on human beings.

 

The Liturgy in Oyo Diocese has been well acknowledged for being participatory and lively. We just need to fill the room for improvement so that our liturgy becomes at the same time prayerful, soul-lifting, and solemn. The liturgy belongs to the Church as the family of God, not to any individual to manipulate. We shall enlighten people to realize that what you take away from liturgical worship in the Catholic Church depends largely on what you bring into it namely faith, hope, surrender, devotion, and joy.

 

We thank the Lord God for the gift of our Shepherd, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo. As he takes on these national responsibilities, we pray that God grant him the Spirit of Wisdom and Fortitude. May his leadership bring about a renewal of faith and a more profound encounter to the Holy Eucharist, Amen.