Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

 

The Oluyole Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan has held its annual Cathedraticum with a strong call to embrace sacrificial giving and deeper commitment to the mission of the Church.

 

 

The event, which took place at St Lawrence Catholic Church Lasokun on Thursday, 26th March, 2026, brought together priests, religious, and lay faithful from across the deanery in a vibrant display of unity and faith.

 

 

In his welcome address, the Parish Priest, Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi, warmly received guests and expressed joy at hosting the deanery for the significant annual gathering.

 

 

Delivering the homily, Fr. Stephen Udechukwu emphasized on the theme: “I will not give God a gift that will cost me nothing.” He explained that an offering without sacrifice is merely a gesture, urging the faithful to give meaningfully and from the heart.

 

 

The homilist further noted that gifts presented to priests are always accompanied by prayers, reinforcing their spiritual significance.

 

He described the Cathedraticum gathering as a visible sign of unity and communion with the Archbishop, and a concrete expression of the faithful’s support for the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

 

He also provided insight into the meaning of Cathedraticum, explaining that it is derived from the word “Cathedral,” which means chair. According to him, the “Chair” is not just furniture but a powerful symbol of the authority of the Bishop as the Chief Shepherd of the diocese.

 

 

"The gathering", he said, "is a visible and beautiful expression of support for the Church’s mission of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Speaking on the purpose of the offering, the homilist clarified that the gifts presented to the Archbishop are not for personal use. Rather, it is directed towards the maintenance of the Archdiocese, the training of priests and charitable work. He emphasized that by contributing, the faithful are not merely giving money or gifts, but are participating actively in the life and mission of the Church.

 

 

In conclusion, the homilist called on all present to embrace a lifestyle of intentional, sacrificial giving, reminding them that true worship involves offering God something of value—not leftovers, but gifts that reflect commitment, faith, and love.

 

 

The Holy Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel 'Leke Abegunrin, who also addressed the congregation.

 

In his remarks, the Archbishop expressed gratitude to the priests and faithful of Oluyole Deanery for their unity, generosity, and unwavering support for the Archdiocese. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in faith, committed to the Gospel, and supportive of the Church’s mission.

 

 

The Cathedraticum remains a significant annual event in the Archdiocese, symbolizing communion with the Archbishop and collective responsibility for the growth and sustainability of the Church.

 

 

This year’s gathering has widely been described as spiritually enriching, with a strong message centered on sacrifice, responsibility, and commitment to God’s work.