John Kayode AYODELE

 

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye, has urged Priests, Religious and the Laity to focus on their blessings and sources of happiness rather than dwelling on life’s problems.

 

Drawing inspiration from renowned Russian philosopher Fyodor Dostoevsky, Bishop Ajakaye gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Pastoral Seminar for Priests, Consecrated Persons and the Laity in Ekiti Diocese.

 

The seminar, held on Saturday, 16th May, 2026, at Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre, focused on the growing importance of mental health awareness among clergy, consecrated persons, and lay faithful.

 

The event featured presentations from notable resource persons, including Rev. Fr. Felix Temitope Odesanmi, Rt. Hon. Chevalier Paul Olowoye and Dr. Judith Azikiwe, who examined mental health from medical, social, psychological, and pastoral perspectives.

 

While delivering his presentation, Rt. Hon. Chevalier Paul Olowoye explained that mental health challenges can affect anyone when the brain is subjected to prolonged stress and emotional pressure.

 

“When mental imbalance becomes problematic, pervasive, and persistent, such an individual should seek professional help from a psychiatrist". He said, while urging society to eliminate the stigma often associated with mental illness.

 

Olowoye further challenged priests to use their pastoral influence to bridge the gap between parishioners and mental health professionals.

 

 He encouraged members of the clergy to address mental health issues during homilies in order to create a supportive and safe environment for vulnerable faithful.

 

According to him, social determinants, psychological and emotional pressures, biological and genetic factors, as well as lifestyle and behavioural patterns, remain major contributors to mental health challenges.

 

He identified clinical management, institutional support for priests, family and caregiver support, and the use of technology in mental healthcare as important strategies for managing mental health conditions.

 

In his presentation, Rev. Fr. Felix Temitope Odesanmi identified burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and unhealthy addictions as some of the most common mental health challenges confronting priests and consecrated persons today.

 

He also highlighted factors such as the conflict between vision and reality, the demands of leadership, financial pressures, unrealistic standards of success and excessive workload as key contributors to mental health struggles among clergy and religious personnel.

 

In her lecture titled “Living in Wholeness: Preventing and Managing Mental Health in Daily Life,” Dr. Judith Chineye Azikiwe identified denial, perfectionism, isolation, stigma, cultural expectations, and economic hardship as three major barriers to emotional and psychological well-being.

 

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese to promote mental health awareness, deepen psychological support systems, and prioritize the holistic well-being of every member of the Church.