On the feast day of the great priest St. Thomas Aquinas, the 28th of January 2016 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri, the faithful of Warri diocese witnessed the ordination of 5 deacons to the order of the presbyterate
Rev. Fr. Fregene Joseph Utseoritselaju
Rev. Fr. Mark Oghenerukevwe Akpojotor
Rev. Fr. Obinna Orjinta Orjinta
Rev. Fr. Jude Ochukeukwesan
Rev. Fr. Tobechukwu Odom
In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Warri, Most Rev. John OkeOghene Afareha gave an excellent reflection on the priesthood. “A priest is from the people, with the people, to the people but not by the people. he is one who when he raises his hands to bless cannot be distinguished from Christ.” In addressing the Ordinands, the Bishop reminded them that they will be ordained in the era of the new evangelization, they are to follow closely the one who has called them, Christ the poor, chaste and obedient
He further asserts that the priest must be a teacher but his teaching must be authenticated by the witness of his life. He must be a man of the Eucharist and of prayer.
The Bishop exhorted the faithful to support the priests in every way. He finally commended everyone especially the newly ordained to the love and intercession of the mother of God and mother of the clergy.