Michael OKEOLA

 

The priests of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo gathered in an atmosphere of fraternity, gratitude, and quiet joy as they hosted Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo at a dinner organized in celebration of his 40th Priestly Anniversary. The event brought together members of the Presbyterium in a rare moment of relaxed communion, reflection, and shared memories, as priests celebrated their Bishop not only as a shepherd but as a brother and father in faith.

Welcoming the Bishop and his brother priests, the Chairman of the Oyo Diocese Presbyterian, Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, described the priesthood as both a gift to be cherished and a mystery to be rediscovered daily. Drawing from Gift and Mystery by St. John Paul II, Fr. Martin reminded the gathering that the sacrament of Holy Order is a response to a divine call, a call no one takes upon himself. He noted that while priests’ experiences may differ in apostolate and location, the common denominator remains fidelity to the Master who calls.

 

Fr. Martin paid glowing tribute to Bishop Badejo, describing him as a communicator, preacher, storyteller, musician, youth enthusiast, advocate of inter-religious dialogue, catechist, friend of the poor, and a light-hearted, cheerful man of God who has spent forty years faithfully cherishing the gift of priesthood. On behalf of all the priests of the Diocese, he congratulated the Bishop and thanked the anniversary committee for organizing the evening, appreciating the strong sense of unity reflected by the priests’ presence. He concluded by praying for lasting fraternity among the clergy.

 

The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode, also delivered opening remarks, expressing gratitude to God for the success of the celebrations so far and thanking the priests for their cooperation and sacrifices. He acknowledged the collective effort that made the anniversary’s events possible and reaffirmed that the celebration was intentionally designed to reflect the Bishop’s pastoral vision of inclusivity, touching every segment of the Diocese.

 

Adding warmth to the evening, Monsignor Olawumi took the gathering down memory lane as he shared personal stories and reflections on Bishop Badejo’s life and ministry, offering insights that drew laughter, admiration, and deep appreciation from the priests. This was followed by goodwill messages from the Deans of the various deaneries and representatives, who each spoke in turn, expressing gratitude, affection, and prayers for the Bishop, highlighting his leadership, accessibility, and enduring commitment to the unity of the Diocese.

 

In his response, Bishop Badejo expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Presbyterium for the surprise and honour of the celebration. He admitted that the priests’ initiative affirmed for him that he truly has a family in the Diocese, one that shares the responsibility of shepherding God’s people together. Reflecting on the anniversary’s events, the Bishop described the celebrations as far beyond his expectations, praising the courage and dedication of the planning committee for embracing a vision that reached children, youth, families, and the poor.

 

The Bishop shared moving reflections on the impact of the celebrations, particularly the programmes organized for schools and families, noting how children from remote parts of the Diocese were given a rare opportunity to feel a sense of belonging and dignity. He emphasized that such moments of inclusion and shared experience were priceless and revealed the true strength of the Diocese.

Speaking candidly to his brother priests, Bishop Badejo identified respect as the secret of a strong and effective Presbyterium—respect for oneself, for one another, and for the collective decisions of the group. Using the imagery of migrating birds, he reminded the priests that success comes from moving together, supporting one another, and taking turns in leadership and sacrifice. He encouraged unity even in moments of disagreement, stressing that a leader who walks alone is not leading.

 

The Bishop also offered personal reflections on age, energy, and perseverance in ministry, encouraging priests serving in remote or challenging areas to see their assignments as opportunities for creativity and legacy-building. He urged younger priests to cultivate good habits, especially attentiveness and respect during communal gatherings, noting that disrespect to the group ultimately diminishes one’s own dignity.

 

In a moment of humility, Bishop Badejo asked for forgiveness where his decisions might have caused pain, affirming that all corrections and actions were guided by goodwill and concern for the Church and the salvation of souls. He expressed deep appreciation to Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode for his tireless coordination of the anniversary celebrations, fondly referring to him as “the General,” and also acknowledged the immense efforts of the Pastoral Secretariat team and the Vicar General.

 

The evening concluded on a note of gratitude, unity, and renewed commitment, as Bishop Badejo reminded the priests that the strength of the Diocese lies in charity, mutual support, and visible unity—qualities that inspire the lay faithful to make their own sacrifices for the Church. He prayed for continued blessings upon the Diocese of Oyo as it enters a new year filled with hope and promise.