By Victor Akaa.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama has emphasised the importance of unity and love in the face of diversity.
Archbishop Kaigama gave the charge when he delivered a powerful homily on the Penticost Sunday, at St. Martin’s Parish in Lugbe, Abuja
The Shepherd of the Abuja Archdiocese noted that the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered disciples like a powerful wind and flame of fire, igniting a divine fire of love capable of transforming things.
In his words, “Their fear disappeared, their hearts were filled with new strength, their tongues were loosened, and they began to speak freely, in such a way that everyone could understand the news that Jesus Christ had died and was risen.”
The Archbishop emphasised that the Spirit gives power to speak, courage to act, and unity amidst diversity. “Where there are divisions and estrangement, the Paraclete creates unity and understanding.
“The Spirit triggers a process of reunification of the divided and dispersed parts of the human family, a new body, the Church is formed, whose unity should transcend every human frontier, where all sorts of languages are spoken and understood because they become the language of love.”
Archbishop Kaigama urged the faithful to live according to the Spirit of unity and truth, praying for guidance to overcome the temptation to follow individual truths.
“We must live according to the Spirit of unity and truth, and this is why we must pray for the Spirit to enlighten and guide us to overcome the temptation to follow our own truths, so as to welcome the truth of Christ transmitted in the Church,” he emphasised.
The Archbishop also called on leaders to stand together and make things happen, embracing the love that God has planted in humanity.
“Let us not allow our religion, tribes, or political party, to divide us and hinder us from building and achieving progress in our country and Church,” he said.
Archbishop Kaigama further urged the faithful to allow the Holy Spirit to transform them into fearless preachers of the gospel.
“The Holy Spirit infuses not only peace but also courage and confidence in us and transforms us into fearless preachers of the gospel,” he said.
He therefore encouraged the congregation to employ constructive dialogue, understanding, and diplomacy to resolve issues affecting the Church, rather than resorting to violence that undermines peace.
During the Mass, the Archbishop conferred the sacrament of confirmation on 315 parishioners, and charged them to carry the divine flame of the Holy Spirit to the far corners of the earth.
