By Aga Samuel Imoter, Jalingo
The Catholic Diocese of Jalingo on Tuesday celebrated the Silver Jubilee of priestly ordination for several of its clergy, marking 25 years of ministry with a thanksgiving service attended by Catholic faithful, church leaders, religious and dignitaries from Taraba State and beyond. The celebration began with a Pontifical Thanksgiving Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral, where worshippers gathered for prayers, scriptural readings, thanksgiving offerings and special blessings for the jubilarians.
In his homily, the Bishop of Jalingo, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Michael Hammawa, commended the priests for their dedication to evangelisation, pastoral care and community service. He encouraged younger clergy to remain committed to their vocation and urged the laity to continue supporting the Church through prayer and active participation.” These priests have remained dedicated to the flocks entrusted to their care,” Bishop Hammawa said.
Speaking on behalf of the jubilarians, Rev. Fr. Cyriaus Kamal described his 25 years in ministry as a journey of both challenges and blessings, while Rev. Fr. James Vontih thanked God for sustaining him throughout his priesthood. He urged younger priests to embrace humility, patience and obedience and called on the faithful to pray for ordained ministers.
Organisers said the Silver Jubilee celebrated not only the priests’ years of service but also the continued growth of the Diocese of Jalingo and its contributions to education, healthcare and peace-building in Taraba State.
