Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

The Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan on Wednesday, 25th June 2025, gathered clergy, consecrated persons, lay leaders and the faithful at the Pastoral Institute, Bodija, for a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in celebration of the Jubilee of Bishops — one of the local highlights of the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope declared by the Holy Father, Late Pope Francis.

 

In his welcome address, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Gregory Oyelami, expressed gratitude to God for the occasion and welcomed all present to the Mass. He recognized the presence of the Archbishop of Ibadan, His Grace Most Rev. Gabriel ’Leke Abegunrin; the Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, and representatives of the Maronite Bishop, Most Rev. Simon Faddoul, who was unavoidably absent.

 

Also he acknowledged the Priests, Monsignori, Deans, Consecrated persons, Lay faithful, various societies, and media personnel.

Fr. Oyelami noted that the celebration was not only an occasion to thank God but also an opportunity to thank the Bishops for their love and service to the people of God. He added that the gathering also provided a chance to present pastoral needs and official requests to the Bishops, as part of the continuing life and mission of the Church.

 

The homily was delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade, Pastoral Secretary of the Archdiocese, who reflected on the significance of the Jubilee of Bishops within the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope being celebrated worldwide. He warmly acknowledged the presence of the Diocesan Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Seminarians, Lay faithful, and Representatives of various Catholic Associations and Apostolates.

 

Fr. Omolade opened his reflection with the Latin maxim “Ubi episcopus, ibi ecclesia” — where the Bishop is, there is the Church — emphasizing the central role of the Bishop in the life of the Church. He expressed joy that two of the Bishops in the Archdiocese were present and joined the faithful in thanksgiving.

He reflected deeply on paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 of Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint), the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year issued by Late Pope Francis. Citing the document, he said, “In addition to finding hope in God’s grace, we are also called to discover hope in the signs of the times that the Lord gives us.”

 

He further quoted: “As the Second Vatican Council observed, in every age the Church has the responsibility of reading the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the gospel. In this way, in language adapted to every generation she can respond to people's persistent questions about the meaning of the present life and of the life to come and how one is related to the other.”

 

He encouraged the faithful not to be overwhelmed by evil or despair but to recognize the immense goodness in the world and to become signs of hope themselves. He noted that the desire for peace must be the foremost sign of hope, especially in a world plagued by war and unrest — citing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Iran conflict, and violence in regions of Nigeria such as Benue and Jos.

 

He urged the faithful to also foster peace within the Church — among priests, between priests and laity, between priests and Bishops, and even among Bishops themselves. He acknowledged the blessing of having four Bishops in residence in the Archdiocese at the start of the Jubilee Year but lamented the recent passing of Bishop Emeritus of Ilorin Diocese, Most Rev. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, OP, which reduced the number to three.

 

Fr. Omolade affirmed that the grace of God is visibly manifest in the lives of the Bishops, who have faithfully served for over half of their lives. He concluded that the Jubilee Year of Hope calls all the faithful to live with enthusiasm and to become joyful witnesses of Christ in the world, urging the congregation to reach out to one another in love, unity, and solidarity.

 

“Let us allow the truth of the Gospel to guide us. We are called to be united just as the Persons of the Blessed Trinity are one. We need this unity in our Archdiocese as we gather around our Bishops today. Let us resolve to be united with one another, with our Bishops and with our Church,” he said.

 

At the end of the Mass, the Thanksgiving procession was led by Archbishop Abegunrin and Archbishop Emeritus, Job. In his closing remarks, Archbishop Abegunrin thanked God for the grace of the celebration and appreciated everyone present for joining in the joyful occasion. He especially thanked Archbishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Felix Alaba Job for participating in the event, despite just marking his 87th birthday the day before.

 

The Archbishop extended greetings to Bishop Simon Faddoul of the Maronite Eparchy and thanked the Maronite community for being present in his stead. He called on the faithful to continue to support the Bishops in their pastoral duties, especially in caring for the less privileged. He also encouraged a spirit of brotherhood, urging everyone to stand by one another and avoid discouragement or division.

Following the Mass, a reception was held at the hall of the Pastoral Institute. In attendance were several dignitaries, including the President of the Ibadan Archdiocesan Laity Council, Mr. Felix Oladokun; President of the Ibadan Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation, Mr. Felix Adoroh; President of the Ibadan Archdiocesan Catholic Women Organisation (AICWO) ably represented by Amb. Edith Isidahomen and President of the Ibadan Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (IBCYON), Mr. Happy Innocent Ezem, among others.

The celebration, held in the spirit of gratitude and unity, offered the local Church a powerful reminder of the enduring role of Bishops as Shepherds and Signs of Communion in the life of the Church — and of the call on all Christians to become true “signs of hope” in today’s world.