Dennis and Victor's priestly ordination

Who are these people, dressed in white robes and rosaries around their necks, and where have they come from? This was the question of the people of Jos as they saw the Missionaries of Africa in their midst. Jos is the state capital of Plateau, also known as Home of Peace and Tourism. However, we did not go for tourism, but to bring a message of peace by attending the priestly ordination of Dennis Dashong Pam and Victor Domshiwe Shehu by His Grace Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama of Jos.

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The ordination took place on the 21st August 2010 at Holy Cross Parish, Pankshin. The ordination of our two confreres entered into the context of hope for peace in Jos as the Archbishop was closing the General Assembly of the Archdiocese, which reflected on the recent conflicts in Jos.

As though to reveal to his flock who these people dressed in gandourah and rosary were, the Archbishop started his homily by giving a brief history of the White Fathers. "Africa may be poor, but it has something special to offer the world: our faith in God, our culture. He paraphrased our Founder saying that, endowed by the Holy Spirit, priests are called to serve, and nothing but to serve.

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To preach the Good News, he said, is not to praise those who are in power; we preach to those who are deprived of the Good News, who are thirsting for Justice. Concerning the crisis in Jos, the Shepherd of Jos said that a priest is a reconciler: 'We should not abandon our mission of peace'. Addressing those to be ordained, he emphasised the Evangelical Counsels. 'Make yourselves available', he said, 'you are not planning your own agenda' - 'all is vanity, do not be possessed by materials' -'embrace everybody with the love of Jesus.'

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More than ninety priests followed the Archbishop in the laying on of hands. The Gospel and Offertory Processions showed that Africa has really something to offer the world. The congregation was amazed by the vote of thanks from our Provincial, Francis Bomansaan, when he said to the families of Dennis and Victor that they are now part of the Missionaries of Africa. The whole celebration ended in peace with the heavenly weather of Jos.

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On Sunday the 22nd August, Dennis and Victor celebrated their first Masses respectively at St. Michael's Parish, Anguldi and St. Paul's Parish, Dawaki. We left Jos with a few applications from those wishing to join the Missionaries of Africa. It is our hope that the ordination of Jonathan, Dennis and Victor has put an end to the thirteen years of barrenness in Nigeria. Dennis and Victor, the journey has just started: God will provide for you.

Serge BOROTO ZIHALIRWA,
M.Afr 'stagiaire' at St Thomas Parish,
Agbowo - Ibadan