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The Catholic Diocese of Oyo has with an utmost joy formally received the co-adjutor Bishop of Ilorin Diocese who was once a priest in the host Diocese, Most Rev. Paul Adegboyega Olawoore at the Lady of Assumption, Catholic Cathedral, Oyo , Oyo State on the 5th of October, 2018. The Thanksgiving Mass was presided by the celebrant, Bishop Olawoore with the Archbishop of Ibadan, most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, the host Bishop, Most Rev . Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo and the emeritus bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Julius Babatunde Adelakun together with priests within and outside the Diocese.
Fr. Michael Falade, the homilist, made it known that man should never betray his sense of gratitude, no matter the situation and so when God calls, it is best to put everything into the hands of he who assigned for he can never fail. God in his wisdom has been preparing Bishop Olawoore for the great task, he said, and now it has come to fulfillment. He described the celebrants as a man of prayer, a true shepherd and pastor, ever ready to serve God in trying times and a special son of Mary, Queen of the Apostle.
Bishop Olawoore was said to have held various positions in the Catholic Diocese of Oyo amongst which are, the Diocesan secretary /chancellor under Bishop Adelakun the emeritus bishop of Oyo Diocese, once parish priest of St. Bernardine’s Oyo, St. Mary Magdalene Tede, St. Andrews Akinmoorin, Our Lady of Lourdes Ogbomosho, principal of St. Francis college, Oyo, chaplain of Federal college of education, Oyo ,Diocesan canonist /judicial vicar, zonal chaplain of Catholic women organization, Oyo and Ogbomosho zone, dean of Oyo and Ogbomosho deanery, principal of Maryland grammar school Ogbomosho up to the time he was appointed as co-adjutor bishop of Ilorin Diocese.
He further described Bishop Olawoore as a man who believes trusting and obeying God is the key to live a life pleasing to God and so he encouraged the celebrants to continue the good work and to put all situations into God’s hands for he knows all.
The celebrant, thanked God for the new Diocese he has been appointed to and from where he is coming from. He said his appointment is that which he can not explain but that it is God’s will and every situation is a preparation for something we are not aware of but clearly known to God. In his words, he thanked specially the Emeritus Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Julius Adelakun who have brought him up in the way of the Lord and for all his wonderful teachings .He then enjoined all to always give ears to the teaching of God and endeavor to follow it for that is where the goodness and mercy of the Lord comes. And to the youths he encouraged, to work for the Lord and not for anything else, especially now that election is at hand, not to act as miscreants, who would sell their birthright but rather listen to him who created them and represent him anywhere they find themselves In preserving the future.
The metropolitan see of Ibadan, Most Rev Gabriel Abegunrin, congratulated the celebrant and described his case as whatever God has planned no one can stop it. He said as individual, we have been assigned one work or the other from God and so when it is revealed, it is best to do it and trust in God. We must never be tired of the Cross, he said, we must bear it till the last day and as priests of God, we must not forget our vows, to know him and serve him to the end. He then encouraged bishop Olawoore not to be afraid, to carry his Cross and lean on him who chose him.
Most. Rev Emmanuel Badejo, the host Bishop, in his words at the reception said God’s will has truly be done and there is no controversy therein. He appreciated the celebrant for honouring the invitation, he then admonished him to see Oyo, Ilorin and other Archdioceses and dioceses under the province as one for that is the beginning of God’s wonderful works.
The chairman, organizing committee, Rev .Fr Dr. Francis Oladiipo thanked all who have come specially to rejoice with Bishop Emmanuel on the formal reception of Bishop Olawoore. He also appreciated the presence of some of the priests from Ilorin Diocese that accompanied the celebrant and prayed for journey mercy for all.