The Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, recently conferred Papal Honours on 19 recipients of the Archdiocese including priests, religious and laity owing to their invaluable contribution to the Church and humanity.
The thanksgiving Mass and investiture of Monsignors, Papal Knights and medallists which held at the St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kaduna, attracted priests, religious, lay faithful as well as well wishers in their numbers.
Archbishop Ndagoso said the event was meant to honour and celebrate those who have proven themselves in the service “not only of the church but in the service of humanity. They have done a lot. I mean, nothing extraordinary. They have done what ordinarily is our duty to do as human beings.
According to him, when the opportunity avails itself to acknowledge and appreciate one of us for what he has done and” simply this what the Church does. So it’s a way of encouraging them to try and even do more to serve humanity, and that is why their names were suggested. We send them to Rome and Holy Father graciously and kindly, bestowed these honours on them and it is these honours that today we confer on them on behalf of the Holy Father.
Ndagoso however lamented the lack of leadership based on the common good in the country, evident by the plethora of challenges bedevilling Nigeria. “We have no business being poor. We have no business with our citizens going to bed hungry”, if only our leaders channel the resources for the common good.
One of the recipients, Dame Lauretia Laraba Mallam, humbled by the honour, said”:I cannot thank God enough, because this is a rare opportunity. We are here celebrating an award that came from Rome. It is the Lord’s doing, the Lord had done it even before we were born. He knew that we’ll be here today to be celebrated, because He knows the type of life we’ll live when we are born. ”
The former Minister further hinted on her innate attributes since birth as one who has passion for the poor, needy and humanity. ” I was not doing what I did that gave me this award for anybody to celebrate or appreciate me.
Another Awardee, Papal Knight Stephen Orgar, elated, said ” I feel very humbled, weak in every thing, because this is grace, nothing to do with any of us, it’s just the grace of God. He however said the award is a task to do more. ”
