Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos celebrates Archbishop Martins’ 25th Episcopal/40th Priestly Ordination anniversaries

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has unveiled week-long activities to celebrate the 25th Episcopal and 40th Priestly Ordination Anniversaries of Most Rev. (Dr.) Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.

The events will feature Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos on September 16, 2023 to mark the 25th and 40th Episcopal and Priestly Ordination anniversary, respectively, of the Archbishop.

The two events, according to a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Archdiocesan All Purpose Committee, Mr. Peter Nwanze and Very Rev. Julius Olaitan, respectively, will be concelebrating with Very Rev. Msgr. Edmund Babashay Akpala, Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Gbenga Odunta, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Femi Akintolu and Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Iweanya Ania.

The statement stated that these concelebrants were classmates with the Archbishop Martins at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan and were ordained the same day, September, 18, 1983 at the Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos.

“Hence their famous name: “The Class of 83”, the statement added.

The dual celebrations will be preceded by a Musical Concert on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island Lagos.

Other events planned to commemorate the anniversaries include the Ordination of Priests; Grand finale of a Quiz Challenge involving families from Parishes across the Archdiocese and Charity visits to some Charity Homes.

The celebrations will be rounded off on Saturday, September 23, 2023 with the Holy Mass, followed by the presentation of Awards to the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese in recognition of their selfless services to the Church and humanity.

The historic episcopacy of Archbishop Martins took its roots from Rome. Fourteen years after his ordination as a priest of the Archdiocese of Lagos, he was appointed the Bishop of Abeokuta on October24, 1997 by Pope Saint John Paul II and consecrated on January 24, 1998.

On May 25, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI on accepting the resignation of Anthony Cardinal Okogie as Archbishop of Lagos, appointed Bishop Martins as Archbishop-elect of Lagos.

A month and four days later, precisely, June 29, 2012, Bishop Martins received the pallium, from the late Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica Vatican, Rome.

On August 4, 2012, the Lagos Catholic faithful witnessed the installation of Archbishop-elect Alfred Adewale Martins as the fourth Bishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos for 39 years.

Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins has been the Chief Shepherd of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos for 11 years, and has led the Archdiocese to exponential growth through reforms and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Clergy, Laity and friends of the Archdiocese of Lagos and Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, wish Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, many more years of service in God’s Vineyard.

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