John Kayode AYODELE

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, His Lordship, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye has reiterated, that there is no competition in the Catholic Priesthood, but, it is necessary for Priests to respect their elders.

Bishop Ajakaye made the statement on Friday, January 2, 2026 at St. John Catholic Church, Ilupeju-Ekiti during the diaconate ordination of Mr. Isaac Oyedeji Abiona and Priestly Ordination of Rev. Sylvester Akinwale Ajayi, Rev. Emmanuel Onyebuchi David, Rev. Gabriel Adeyemi Ogundoro, and Rev. Augustine Bamidele Omoniyi.

The Bishop charged the Ordinands to keep going and trust Jesus. He declared the year 2026 a “Year of Solutions and Blessings” in the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti as he rallied support for the Ordained Ministers in the Diocese through prayers, physical and material supports.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Thomas Durotoluwa Adebisi congratulated the Bishop, the Ordinands, their Families and the Catholic Church in Ekiti for witnessing such an historical celebration at the beginning of a New Year.

The homilist charged the Ordinands to understand the true meaning of Ordination as a gift from God to His Church. He reiterated that no Priest is ordained to promote his personal agenda, rather, Priests are ordained to follow and promote the agenda of the Church.

Fr. Adebisi further encouraged the Ordinands to see the Priesthood, as a call to serve and not to be served, adding that obedience to the Church and the constituted authorities is not negotiable for the Ordained Ministers in the Roman Catholic Church.

The Ordination witnessed the presence and active participation of the Bishop, Priests and other Consecrated Persons from within and outside Ekiti Diocese, Royal Fathers, as well as Dignitaries from within and outside the Christian circle.

With the newly Ordained Priests, the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti now has a total of One Hundred and Twenty Two Diocesan Priests with some Missionary Priests working in the Diocese.