The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Matthew Audu, has celebrated his 40th anniversary as a catholic priest in grand style.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Audu was ordained a priest on June 23, 1984.
He was apponited and consecrated the first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia in December 2000, having spent 16 years as a priest.
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NAN also reports that the event held on Thursday at Tudun Uku, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, the village of the archbishop.
Speaking at the event, Audu thanked God for the journey thus far, particularly for finding him worthy to serve in His vineyard over the years.
The archbishop promised to rededicate the rest of his life in keeping to the tenets of his priestly calling at all times.
He called for prayers, support and cooperation of the Catholic faithful in Jos archdiocese and Nigeria in general toward keeping to his priestly vows.
In sermon, Monsignor Cletus Gotan, the Vicar General of the archdiocese of Jos, said that the celebrant had impacted many lives in the last 40 years.
He explained that the archbishop, who won many souls for God over the years, also impacted on the spiritual lifestyle of many others since his days as a young priest, a bishop and now archbishop.
“He joined many couples in marriage, prayed for the sick, blessed families, prayed for individuals and groups, established schools and parishes and ordained so many priests among others in the last 40 years,” he said.
Gotan, however, attributed the current hardship confronting Nigerians to the selfishness of those in position of authorities in the country.
“Some persons in position of governance have converted the resources made for the improvement of the welfare of all Nigerians into their personal comfort at the detriment of the people.
“Some of these leaders claimed that they are born-again, but robbing the country of every resources and hurting the poor and the weak.
“Some of them have billions in foreign and domestic accounts, built houses everywhere and bought expensive cars that they cannot use throughout their lives.
”Our leaders must rethink our collective values, repent and truly work toward making life better for the people they promised to serve,”he advised.
Earlier, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, commended Audu for winning many souls for Christ and serving humanity in the last 40 years.
Kaigama seized the opportunity and called on government to return all Catholic schools to their original owners.
Kaigama, who extolled the contribution of the Catholic Church to the nation’s education and health sectors, called for government support in its bid toward building a better society.
On his part, Bishop David Ajang of Lafia, congratulated Audu, his predecessor, for the feat achieved.
Ajang thanked all the bishops, priests, government officials and other dignitaries from Plateau and Nasarawa State, for gracing the event.
NAN reports that Pope Francis had in 2020 elevated Audu and appointed him as archbishop of Jos, having served as bishop of Lafia for 19 years.
