Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Callistus Onaga, has advised priests against misleading their members with false teachings but teach them truth about Christ.
Onaga gave the advice in a homily during a Chrism Mass at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, yesterday.
Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday in which priests renew their vocation and consecrated with the oil of Chrism.
According to him, priests should be careful of what comes out of their mouths as people believe in them and call them father.
He said their call was a divine trust to herald word of God given to them and urged them to do it with conscientiousness.
“Our words matter a lot not just when we are in the church but wherever we find ourselves. Our flock calls us father because they believe we have been transformed. We should teach people true words.
“If your words are lies, you are teaching your parishioners to lies and you are teaching them to tell lies and give false witnesses,” Onaga said.
The cleric said reverend fathers were the custodians of the word of God, adding they should refrain from false preachings and prophecies.
“We should not compare ourselves with other pastors because to him whom much is given, much is expected. We have a very sacred juice of priesthood.
“The word of God is sacred and should not be defiled and the priest is the dispenser of the word of God in his place with the people of God.
“You were anointed at ordination with the oil of Chrism, so no matter how wrinkled the hands are, they have the oil to sanctify and offer sacrifice through the people,” he said.
He urged them to possess a Christlike heart with love, saying “priesthood is love and our lives should give true love to our flock because that is what we received during our ordination.
“It is love in us that will define what we teach our members; you don’t abuse them but teach them word of God with love and that which come from Christ we represent, should dominate everything we do.”
Onaga also admonished them to do away with unforgiving anger, greed, selfishness and pride but engage in the work of God with love and humility.
Highlight of the Holy Mass was the renewal of the vow and commitment made by no fewer than 500 priests during their ordination, blessing of the oil of the sick, oil of the Catechumen and consecration of the oil of Chrism.