Pope Francis has called on all Nigerians
irrespective of their faith to shun anything
that could lead to disintegration, adding
that all Nigerians should embrace unity
and strengthen the cord of divine love
that binds them together.
The Pope made the call yesterday in
Ibadan at the formal installation of the
new Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan
Archdiocese, His Grace Gabriel Leke
Abegunrin.
Speaking through the Vatican
Representative in Nigeria, Papal Nuncio
Augustine Kasujja, Pope Francis said, “We
Bishops should understand that
consecrated people are not just material,
but are gifts that enrich the dioceses.
“With efforts of cooperation and
constructive dialogue at all levels, in this
era of New Evangelization, with your
assiduous pastoral care, the light of faith
will surely continue to shine even brighter
in Nigeria. All the faithful should remain
joyfully united with their new Pastor.”
Speaking about the new Archbishop who
replaced Alaba Job, the Pope said, “The
Vatican is convinced that, endowed with
the necessary qualities and highly
experienced in pastoral matters, Bishop
Abegunrin is worthy to take over the care
of the Metropolitan Archdiocese.
“Ibadan is a prestigious and historical
centre of education and formation. It is
here that you find the first Federal
University in Nigeria. Ibadan has also a
large number of different religious
congregations.”
Archbishop Abegunrin who was formerly
in Osun State said in his speech that he
would remain faithful to God and the
church.
Describing his installation as the
Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese as a
new challenge, he promised to continue
to hold tenaciously his personal
philosophy which is “Love conquers all
things”.
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