The Holy Father, Pope Francis has honoured 36 Persons in the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, with the prestigious honours of the Knights and Dames of St. Gregory the Great (KSG), Knights and Dames of St. Sylvester, Benemerenti as well as Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

The Concelebrated Mass where the recipients received their Medals, Swords, Plumed Hat and Certificates was held on Friday December 13, 2024 at St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti.

 

In his homily, the Local Ordinary of the Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye thanked God for making the Process and the Investiture ceremony a success.

 

Bishop Ajakaye congratulated the Awardees and commended their selfless efforts towards the development of the Catholic Church in Ekiti Diocese. Appreciating them for accepting to be honoured by the Church, the Bishop encouraged them not to see Papal Honours as retirement benefits, but a call to be more committed Evangelizers.

 

The Bishop also appreciated the Leadership of the Laity Council, Catholic Men Organisation, Catholic Women Organisation, and the Catholic Youth Organisation in Ekiti Diocese for their Cooperation, Coordination and their Collaborative efforts in making sure that the Church is progressing.

 

He urged the Awardees not to relent in their Corporal and Spiritual works. He described them as men and women of integrity and true soldiers of Christ. While charging the members of the Congregation to harness their talents and use them to glorify God and for the benefits of the people around them, the Bishop reiterated that Ekiti Catholic Diocese shall continue to encourage people with good talents and potentials.

 

Speaking on behalf of all the Awardees, Sir. Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, KSG, thanked God for making the day a reality. He appreciated Bishop Felix Femi Ajakaye for recommending the Awardees to the Holy Father. Pope Francis.  He, as well, thanked the Holy Father, for approving the list of the nominees.

 

He congratulated other Awardees, described their Awards as a task to continually profess the Catholic faith, protect the faith and provide respond to the needs of the Church at all times as much as they can.

 

Sir Adelusi-Adeluyi lauded the hospitable act of Bishop Ajakaye for considering people from other tribes among the Awardees and beckoned on the Awardees to do everything possible to make Knighthood relevant, valuable, treasured and precious to the admiration of all.

 

The Order of Knight and Dames of St. Gregory the Great is an award given to Catholic men and women who have made significant contributions to the Catholic Church and the community. It is one of the five orders of knighthood of the Holy See, established in 1832 by Pope Gregory XVI. It was originally an award for soldiers in the Papal army.

 

Ten persons were honoured as Knights and Dames of St Gregory the Great: Sir Adelusi-Adeluyi KSG, Sir. Paul Olowoyo KSG, Sir. Emmanuel Olubu Onijigin KSG, Sir. Michael Olusegun Oguntoyinbo KSG, Sir. Augustine Olubayode Aiyelawo KSG, Sir. Francis Adewale Olajide KSG, Sir. Patrick Oladipo Ajayi KSG, Dame Uzoechi Idu Ajukwu, Dame Felicia Funke Anjorin and Sir. Philip Ajayi Amujo KSG who was called to his eternal home before the day of the Investiture. The certificate of Award for late Sir Philip Amujo was received by his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Amujo-Ayeni at the Investiture ceremony.

 

Knight and Dame of St. Sylvester is a member of the Pontifical Order of Saint Sylvester, an honour that recognizes Catholic lay people who have contributed to the Church. This Order of Knighthood St. Sylvester was established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1841 to honor those who serve the Church and to end the abuse of a similar order that claimed approval from Pope Sylvester I.

 

Another Ten persons bagged these Awards and they were honoured as Knights and Dames of St. Sylvester. They are: Sir. Francis Adesesan Olatunde KSS, Sir. Stephen Adebayo Olanipekun KSS, Sir. Matthew Ajibola Alao KSS, Sir. Patrick Olubunmi Famosaya KSS, Sir. Pius Idowu Ade-Ojo KSS, Sir. Charles Adebayo Oyelami KSS, Sir. John Alaba Obateru KSS, Sir. Gilbert Okwudilichukwu Igweka KSS, Dame Clementina Ebunoluwa Ajibade and Dame A. Francisca Olufunke Falodun

 

Benemerenti Award is a Papal Award, given to people who have provided exceptional service to the Catholic Church, their families, and their community. It was established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832. The Benemerenti Medal was originally awarded by Pope Pius VI, to recognize military merit. Since 1925, it has been awarded to both clergy and lay members of the Church, regardless of military or civil status.

 

This Papal Award was awarded to 15 persons among the 36 Awardees. They are: Modupe Oluwatoyin Aiyelawo, Julia Omosalewa Adelusi-Adeluyi, Julianah Kemi Olatunde, Florence Olabisi Idowu Aina, Rachael Yewande Babalola, Patrick Olakunle Falodun, Oluremi Omowumi Oguntoyinbo, Sr. Patricia Omolade Ojo SSL, Sr. Winifred Olufunke Ojo SSL, Mary Omolola Orimolade, Gordian Efiong Ukpon, Clement Sunday Arogundade, F. Adebimpe Faramade Adefolaju, Christianah Eniola Ojo and Solomon Oluwasola Ayeni.

 

Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which means, “For Church and Pope” is a decoration and honor that the Church bestows upon members of the clergy, laity, and religious orders. This honor was bestowed on Solomon Oluwasola Sylvester Ojajuni.

The Investiture Mass was Concelebrated by the Archbishop of Ibadan and the Metropolitan of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel Ojeleke Abegunrin, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Jude Ayodeji Arogundade and the Bishop Emeritus of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Olatunji Fagun.

 

Also in attendance were Priests, Male and Female Religious, Royal Fathers, Vice Chancellor of Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, Rev. Fr. Prof. James Olaogun, Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa and other dignitaries from across the globe.