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Catholic priests have been charged to submit themselves for proper and adequate formation by the Church. They should desist from longing to become Parish Priests few years after their ordination.

Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo gave this charge in his remark at the 10th Priestly Ordination anniversary of Rev. Frs. Benedict Ashade, Dominic Olagbaju, John Hezekiah, Pius Falana and Frederick Alode, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Kemta, Abeokuta.

According to Bishop Odetoyinbo, the Church knows what is good for each priests and cannot deliberately suffer them unnecessarily.

He said, "as priests in the Catholic Church, don't be in a hurry, to become Parish Priest, wait and allow the Church to form you properly".

He added "every priest is ordained to preach the joy of Jesus Christ to the people. Continue to be sources of peace, joy, happiness to the people of God, because you are ordained to safe souls.

While congratulating the celebrants on their anniversary, the prelate admonished them to prepare for more challenges, temptations and worries in the vocation, urging them to focus only on Jesus Christ, who will not disappoint them.

Earlier in his homily, the Dean of St. Mary Ifo Deanery and Parish Priest, St. Brendan Catholic Church, Ijoko, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Sobiye, in his homily enjoined the celebrants to be humble in their dealings with others, not to be consumed in their quest for power and greatness, saying that humility and patience are virtues that will take you farther in life. 

"Always remember that you are mere servants and custodians of the great gift that is beyond you. You are earthen vessels that hold a greater, precious treasure. To every Priests was said at ordination by the Bishop, to model his life according to the Mystery that he celebrates and also to continue to be like Christ “who came to serve and not to be served.” 

"Therefore, continue to be what you celebrate, continue to offer yourselves as sacrifices for Christ, the Church and His People. You are young men who have become fathers, elders, presbyters by the virtue of your sacred calling. Being a priest does not mean you are better than others or you will always have as you want". 

"Pride, arrogance, have made so many to miss their steps and lose their places in life. Be humble in your priestly lives and ministries. Keep guiding it, cherish it and protect it. Faithfulness and fidelity to the Church is what will give you happiness in life. Obedience to the authority is what is required of you. Be careful dear priests not to trade on charity. 

"May I remind you in a very strong terms, my dear brothers, that regardless of whatever skills, talents God has blessed you with, to always remember that you are a priest, pastor of souls.

“You have all actually by your various gifts and talents contributed to the growth of our Diocese, in your unique ways. Therefore, be proud of who you are, be proud of the heritage that you share in, be proud of the Diocese. When you know your worth, know your place within the Church and hold yourself accordingly, believe me Fathers’, the Church also will know you and take care of you. 

As you begin another phase of your lives and ministries, I encourage you must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you declared your intention and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses.