Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese on Friday urged Christians to continue to pray for their pastors to enable them to fulfill the call of God upon their lives.
Kukah made the appeal at the Funeral Mass in honour of the late Vicar General of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Rev, Fr. Willy Ojukwu, who died on Oct. 15, after a brief illness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the mass was presided over by John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese in Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja.
NAN also reports that no fewer than 200 priests and five bishops attended the mass.
According to Kukah what differentiates Christianity from other religions is that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.
Quoting from the Gospel of John Chapter 11 verses 17 to 21, Kukah said resurrection is a reality for Christians.
“This is the assurance that Christ has given to the Christians. So, I believe Fr Ojukwu has gone to be with the Lord,” Kukah said.
The bishop said Ojukwu was celebrated by the church as a good priest who lived to fulfill his priestly calling.
Kukah said the late vicar general was instrumental to the building of the Minor Seminary in Kuje and other vital projects in the Archdiocese.
According to him, the greatest gift God has given to the Catholic Church is the priesthood.
“What differentiate Ojukwu from others is that he was a Priest, being a priest, he was a great man.
“He left a great wonderful legacy,” he said.
Also speaking, Cardinal Onaiyekan said Ojukwu lived a good life and had gone to rest.
“”He did not die too young. We thank God for his life,” he said.
NAN reports that Ojukwu ordained a priest on July 16, 1983, died at the age of 71.
Until his death, he was the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Gwarinpa II and the Vicar General for Pastoral Affairs of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.
Ojukwu was also the Archdiocesan Chaplain of the Catholic Women Organisation, Spiritual Adviser of Knights of St. John International and Chaplain of the Legion of Mary.
He was later in the day laid to rest at Kuje cemetery on the outskirts of the FCT. (NAN)