Interfaith relations blossom in Oyo Diocese as Alhaji donates Church hall

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko 

Inter-faith relations took another leap forward in the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, on Sunday when a devout muslim, Alhaji Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria donated an assembly hall to the diocese at St John the Baptist Catholic Church Isalu, Iseyin. 

The Dean of Iseyin Deanery, Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo made this known in a statement on Monday in Ibadan.

According to him, the modern 400-seater assembly hall, built to replace the former 80-year old edifice which collapsed due to age, was named after Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese and Metropolitan of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, who is an indigene of Oke Ogun area in Oyo State. 

The Mass for the blessing and commissioning of the hall, had Abegunrin, as the chief celebrant, while Bishop Emmanuel Badejo concelebrated, with Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Iseyin and Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasola. 

In his speech, the donor,  Alhaji Raji who was accompanied by other eminent Muslim associates, explained the rationale behind his commitment to working with the Catholic Church. 

He said the Church’s long-standing tradition of humble service which has endured for centuries, its remarkable strides in the development of the society and humanity at large and the unparalleled foresight of the Church in the service of humanity and especially of the Iseyin community, were commendable.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who, in 2022, already donated a state-of-the-art operating theatre building and equipment to Our Lady Catholic Hospital, Iseyin said the hospital was one of the health institutions of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, as a real beacon of grassroots healthcare since his childhood. 

He noted that the Church, preaching the Gospel with all strength, saved many lives and helped many through its medical and educational institutions.

He said that in his experience, the Church especially at the grassroots, did not discriminate against anyone. 

Raji advised Catholics, especially the youths not to abandon the Church and to jettison the ‘japa’, runaway trend which had proved to be a scourge to the grassroots and society at large. 

He advised them to stay in the faith, appreciate what they have, do as much good as they should and make it spread through them to other people and places.

The Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, in his homily, urged Nigerians to always seek for the good of others.

Badejo emphasised the words of scripture that those who have instructed many in virtue will shine as bright as stars for all eternity. 

"It is important for one to help contribute to the progress of the society, in order to provide the resources needed for development and righteous living.

 

"This demands that faith be brought to practical action, to help others to grow. This works even better when the relationship between different faiths bears such positive fruits like what Alhaji Raji has done for the Catholic community of Iseyin," he said.

The bishop lauded the zeal of the donor for inter-faith relations, which had borne a lot of fruits. 

He noted that the kind gestures of the erudite lawyer toward the Catholic Church are an appreciation of the Church’s sacrifice and dedication to integral human development, solidarity and the common good. 

He therefore challenged all present to keep working for the good of their neighbors and the society without caring about race, creed or status.

In his response, Abegunrin, having earlier received the keys to the hall named after him, expressed delight at the honour done to him. 

He thanked the entire Catholic Diocese of Oyo, the bishop, the donor and the entire Iseyin Catholic Community for the kind gesture.

Abegunrin prayed that the Church continued to be a light for others to see and encouraged all not to rest on their oars to carry the light of faith everywhere they go.

Also, Rev. Fr. Badejo noted that the blessing and commissioning of the hall building was a call to greater duty for the Church in the deanery to continue to spread the good news in every way possible and to all and sundry. 

The dignitaries at the ceremony were the Vicar General of Oyo Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Oladiipo, other priests in Iseyin Deanery, Reverend Sisters and the lay faithful. 

The entire Catholic Community of Iseyin, Oyo Diocese were also fully represented at the ceremony.