The History of Dominicans ... in Nigeria is a Story of Faith and Love
Archbishop A. O. OkogieOn this auspicious occasion of the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the coming of the Dominicans to Nigeria, it gives me great joy to felicitate and rejoice with you. We rejoice in the benevolence of our Heavenly Father who has enabled us to see this day that He himself has made. On an occasion like this, our hearts should echo those beautiful words of the psalmist: "what can I render to the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will raise the cup of Salvation, I will call on the Lord's name!'
It is a rarity in life for active participants in a historical setting to be privileged to chronicle the same set of events in their life time. The history of the Dominicans' entrance to Nigeria is a story of faith and love, which made for Unity and Love. While rejoicing and thanking God for so many blessings derived from their coming, we cannot help but reminisce on some of their joys and sorrows.
The red gauntlet thrown by our predecessor of blessed memory, Leo Hale Taylor, was accepted after careful and prayerful meditation not because of the then known Nigeria's political situation. But they saw it as the plan of the Lord for them to be in this part of His vineyard.
It all began in the 1950's, agreement finally completed, the Dominican Pioneers, Father Michael Dempsey, (later Bishop), Father Edward T. Lawton (later Bishop) and Fr. Arthur Kinsella, arrived in Yaba in 1951 and gradually found their feet among the people. Theirs was a story of goodwill aid trust in the people they serve. We salute these gallant, hardworking, prayerful and indefatigable pioneers, for laying a very solid foundation on which others now build with joy. May God bless and reward them abundantly.
As I look back on their mission in Nigeria in general and Lagos Archdiocese in particular, the saying: 'No Cross no Crown' is true in their case. It tells the success story of their mission in Lagos Archdiocese after a difficult beginning. Trust and hope in the good Lord, were the essential components that helped them through thick and thin. What with the handing over of St. Patrick's, then under the governance of the SMAs, to them to be used as a base and manage for the Archdiocese; what with the silent battle among some of the SMAs and some parishioners, who on account of the sudden change of baton saw the new situation as a deprivation and an unwise move! But today the work of the four Dominican pioneers bore fruit, fruits already showing lasting result. God's ways are indeed not our way! May He be forever praised.
Looking back at those fruitful fifty years, we cannot but heave a sigh and praise the wisdom and foresight of our Predecessor, Leo Hale Taylor of blessed memory, for inviting them to Lagos: They have in no small measure, justified their presence among us in several ways. In fact, the history of the Archdiocese will be grossly incomplete without recounting the success story of the Dominicans. Since their arrival, they acted as counsellors not only to my two predecessors, Archbishops Leo Taylor and Aggey, but also to numerous members of the faithful; they spread the Good News in season and out of season not only by preaching, but also by their exemplary simple life style which stood them in good stead before the people. Their concern for the poor, the needy and the suffering in the society made most people see them as 'Apostles of the poor!' In fact, they introduced a new epoch in the history of the Church in the Archdiocese. We began to witness innovative, planned and enhanced development both spiritually and physically.
While we congratulate and rejoice with our Brothers as they celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their presence in Nigeria and Lagos Archdiocese in particular, we cannot but look at this Millennium with great faith and ask God to bless their work bountifully. Let us above all now, keep before our eyes that it is not the number of years spent in His service that matters but how well His work was done; it is not the number of edifices, property or vocations that matters but how good and lasting they stand the test of time for, we shall all pass and generations of men and women after us will judge us and request God through their prayers to reward us accordingly. Happy Anniversary! Congratulations!! Ad multos Annos!!!.
+ Anthony O. Okogie
Archbishop of Lagos.
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