The celibates are not supposed to be harassed in any way for the fact that they are there to continue the work of salvation established by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  “He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics” Mk. 6:8-9.

Our priests and religious own nothing: No matter their academic qualifications and the level they occupy; they do not possess homes or wealth.  The Reverend Fathers and the Religious have to live like Jesus their Model so as to be effective in their mission or apostolate.  

    The vocation to priesthood and religious life is sacred and important to us and not many can embrace it because of the sacrifices involved. Remember the rich young man who went away sad. “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” but when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Lk. 18:22-23.

     Today, people go after priest just to make money and sometimes they harm him. Matt 26:14-15 says, “Judas Iscariot went to the Chief Priest and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.”  He returned the money later with regret.  

      When Rev. Father Paul Offu of St. James the Greater Parish, Ugbakwa in Enugu State was killed by herdsmen, over 200 priests in Enugu marched on the streets to protest against the gruesome murder, calling for the killers to be brought to justice.

    Rev. Father Lawrence Adorolo, the Parish Priest of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Okpella, Auchi Diocese, Edo State was kidnapped on September 27, 2017 by gunmen.  Rev. Father Cyriacus Onunkwo of Orlu Diocese was returning home for his father’s burial when hoodlums adopted him and killed him in 2017. Many more have been kidnapped or killed while we fold our hands and look on ‘without reaction’.

     A priest can hear our confessions any day, any time apart from the official time stipulated in the parish time-table. He also visits the sick when the need arises. His entire day is for us.  The Religious take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to enable them touch our lives in many ways? That was why the death of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chibuzor Anamanueze, the parish priest of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Obokofia, Egbema, Ohaji on October 12, 2024 brought so much pain to the entire community because they all loved him.

    As Catholics, let us appreciate and reverence the Priest and Religious in our midst!  Let us respect and value them as God’s special servants chosen to lead us like Moses, Isaiah, etc. Their presence rekindles our hope as they lead us to God through His Grace.

   On August 21, 2022 we heard that four Rev. Sisters were kidnapped along Okigwe – Enugu Road on their way to Church for Thanksgiving Mass in respect of their Religious Profession. I was told that their congregation (The Sisters of Jesus the Savior), relations and many people within and outside the Diocese had embarked on prayers for the safety of these Rev. Sisters. So, the God of mercy intervened and they were released on the following Tuesday unconditionally according to the Secretary General of the Congregation, Rev. Sr. Zita Ihedoro on August 23, 2022. “With hearts full of joy, the Sisters of Jesus The Savior wish to announce the unconditional release of the four of our sisters who were abducted around Okigwe-Umulolo axis on the 21st of August, 2022.” The Rev. Sisters are: Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu.

      When they killed Rev. Father Paul Offu in Enugu State it was so painful that over 200 priests in Enugu marched on the streets to protest against the gruesome murder. Anonymous said “If we courageously protest in a large number in all the states; our rulers will rise to stop the killings. Enough is enough!”

     Our Priests and Religious are very few for the work they are called to do. And we should not allow our enemies to continue to kill the shepherd and scatter his flocks. Enough is enough! We shall no longer stand and look while they kill our Religious and Priests. The fewer the priests the fewer the Christians and the happier the enemies will be, but this is not our portion! Let us rise and pray sincerely to God who chose and ordained our priests to come to our aid and make hast to stop these rebels from executing their plans. For He said in Psalm 105:15 “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm”

 “How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look? Ooh! Some say it’s just a part of it:

We have got to fulfill the book.

     Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, Job said that we should pray for our Priests. They are gifts of God to sanctify us. To whom much is given, much more is expected. He prayed that God may keep all our Priests in His love and mercy and that the Lord may keep our nation Nigeria.   It is our duty to pray for the success and safety of our Priests and Religious who voluntarily dedicate their lives to lead us to God.

   Let us be consistent in our prayer for them with faith and trust in God who rewards those who seek him. “For everyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks” says Luke 11:10.  Pope Benedict XVI said that Prayer is not something accessory, it is not optional, but rather a question of life or death. Only one who prays, that is, who entrusts himself to God with filial love can enter into eternal life, which is God Himself.

    “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets; you stone the messengers God has sent to you! How many times have I wanted to put my arms round all you people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me! And so your temple will be abandoned. I assure you that you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Lk 13:34-35.

     Psalm 94:4-7,14 says, “How much longer will criminals be proud and boast about their crimes? They crush your people Lord; they oppressed those who belong to you. They kill widows and orphans, and murder the strangers who live in our land. They say, “The Lord does not see us; the God of Israel does not notice.” The Lord will not abandon his people; he will not desert those who belong to him.” O Lord, you called these people to serve us and they have been making a lot of sacrifices to meet our needs as our shepherds. We do not want them killed further so that we may not scatter. Hear our prayer Lord!