The Archdiocesan Board of Church Wardens, in their second investiture of the year, invested fifty-three new Board members across sixteen (16) parishes within the Archdiocese of Ibadan.

The investiture, which was held at Sacred Heart Ilupeju, Bodija, had in attendance the Dean of the Deanery, Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu, who was the Chief Celebrant of the day; the Archdiocesan Board of Church Wardens Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Augustine Nwajagu; the Archdiocesan Executive Council; the Parishes and Deanery Presidents; and other Board members from different parishes. The Bodija Deanery's newly elected Executive Council was also inaugurated.

The Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu in his rich homily for the day stated that, the position a Church Warden holds in the Parish is a place where he/she is expected to do the right thing at all place and at all time, regardless of whoever the person might be, but it has to be done with and in love. “When you do the right thing, exactly how Christ wants you to do it, have not doubt in you that it is the right thing. We have no excuse to give God nothing but the very best of our service, He sees you when you truly give Him the best, and that will never go unrewarded.”

Also know that, “whatever persecution you face in the Church while doing your work and carrying out what the Church has laid down is the baptism you have to undergo for the sake of Christ and your salvation. Whatever you do, do it for God and for the sake of your salvation. Do not be a ceremonial functionary, when you are there, be there in truth and sincerity of heart, God cannot be deceived.”

The homilist added, “be encouraged, embrace the right things, be strong in faith and be courageous, just like Jeremiah and other Prophet, just like Jesus Christ. Remember that, by the virtue of your baptism, you have already shared in Christ Prophetic ministry, His Priestly ministry and His Kingship ministry, so, everyone is cloned to service in the Church.

Aside that, it is the Holy Spirit burning in you that made you seem that injustice, for truthful and fruitful correction, and not to spike anyone, not for sentimental purpose.”

He went further to say, “do not be tired to fulfil what God requires of you, all Christians should know that when we give God the best place in our lives, certainly, the true application of the gospel will bring division and separation. For a true Christian will not be comfortable in situations where injustice is upheld, even in the family. We cannot continue to watch the evil in the society and keep quiet, let us not be Christians by name but by action, doing exactly what is expected of us by God, and that starts from our homes.

Sometimes, when a child does something, it tells a lot about the home that child comes from, and once parents fails in that, they have failed in everything.”

In his conclusion, he advised “we should make up our mind today that wherever we are, it should no longer be comfortable for us to keep quiet and let injustice and evil strive, and once we do not allow that, there will be division and separation. In our struggle against sin, we are yet to be resistant to the point of shedding our blood, think about Jesus Christ who shed His blood for our sake and think of how to turn a new leave.” He prayed, that God help us, may His spirit lead us to grow in spirit and walk in the right path, all the days of our life, and at the end, may it not be difficult for us to see the father face to face and be with Him forever.

Amen.