The Bishop and Priests of the Catholic diocese of Warri celebrated the annual memorial mass for the repose of the souls of deceased Priests and religious who served in the diocese on the 25th of November 2015 at the diocesan priests’ Cementary, Pastoral Centre, Agbarho. The Mass was well attended by a large number of priests and religious in the diocese, but the the turnout of the lay faithful was not so encouraging a development which the Bishop was not so pleased with. He has asked that in the mass for deceased priests and religious next year, the lay faithful will sit under their deanery canopies.
In his homily, the Bishop, Most Rev John Afareha spoke of the sacrifices that the dead priests and religious made for the good of the diocese and the obligation we owe them to always pray for them as one of the corporal works of mercy. He further asserts that our faith and hope in their resurrection is built solidly on the resurrection of Jesus, the one whom they loved and served.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the prayers for each of the graves of the priests. The Bishop and all the priests moved around as a prayer was said over each grave led by a priest. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in the peace of Christ, Amen.
