Rt. Rev. Humprey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, Diocesan and Missioner, Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion)
By Odinaka Uruakpa
The Diocesan and Missioner, Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) Rt. Rev. Humprey Bamisebi Olumakaiye has called on Nigerians to discard the garbs of ethnicity, nepotism, corruption, as well as other vices that are detrimental to the growth of the country, as he urged them to live in love with one another, with hope for a greater future .
Olumkaiye, who gave the charge in his 2021 Easter message assured that Easter is a sign that light will prevail over darkness, especially at such a time, when the nation is grappled in spates of violence, insecurity and economic depression.
Said he: “The message of Easter offers hope for hopeless human race. At such a time like this, when our nation, Nigeria, is grappled in spate of violence, insecurity and economic depression, Easter is a symbol that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, and is a signpost that light will always prevail over darkness.
“The celebration of Easter is a historical moment of reflection of goodness and goodwill of God for all humanity. For Nigeria, it is the thunder from heavens that the nation will prevail and out of the ruins and ashes of financial despondence, economic recession and social injustice and inequalities. We shall arise like phoenix, reborn and shine forth like morning star.”
Speaking on the significance of Easter, the Bishop quoted Basil C. Hume which notes that “the great gift of Easter is hope; Christian hope, which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.”
The Bishop noted that the beautiful morning of Easter brings hope, light and life for humanity.
“Mahatma Ghandi wrote that ‘A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.’ Thus, event of Easter, our Holy Week, showcases the grandest, loveliest and profound act of God, in saving humanity through the cross and resurrection of his only son, Jesus Christ.
In it, we see the deepest hatred of the Almighty towards sin, sickness and death. We equally behold the highest love ever shown to worthless creatures; humanity. Easter is all about the demonstration of God’s love and utter sacrifice, in giving all that heaven can offer for the deliverance and salvation of souls of men.”
He said the sacrifice of Easter brings deliverance from sin and plagues of the world, adding that Easter is God’s answer to the evil that ravages the universe.
“Faith in that sacrifice brings ultimate triumph of good over evil. Easter, therefore is all about redemption and reordering of the world. Through the event of Easter, the Church was born thousands of years ago, as a community of New Human race, where the order of God in life, marriage and sex are followed.”
He said that the Church stands on the truth of Easter, to offer redemption for all men, straight and gay.
He added that the Church denounces the spirit and practice of gay, as pervasion of human nature.
“Just as Easter stands as a symbol of God’s thunderous NO to all sinful ways, so the Church at this time of celebration of Easter declare non-fellowship to all that pervert creation order in matters of sex and marriage. The truth of the Cross and resurrection stands sure! God frowns continually at such sin, and offer healing and deliverance to sinners, who are willing to accept the truth of Easter, and walk in the reality thereof. This is the redemptive message of Easter”, he said.
He noted that most significantly, Easter brings life and immortality within the grasp of humanity.
Said he: “From antiquity, emperors, kings, princes, men of all ranks and file had craved immortality. Rituals had been observed, sacrifices made and journeys undertook; all in the bid of finding the path to immortality.
“Easter delivers immortality to us. It sealed the fate of death and in believing and walking in the reality of Easter we can all boast that, ‘Death, where is thy sting? Grave, where is thy Victory?’ The fear of death and its ancient claim upon the sons and daughters of men have thus been abolished in the light of Easter!
“As we celebrate Easter in this post-pandemic era with fortitude, and resolute to get our world back to normal or new normal, let us live the message of Easter. Let all Nigerians discard the grabs of ethnicities, nepotism, hatred, corruption. Let us live in love with our neigbours and with hope for a greater and brighter tomorrow. As we celebrate the Holy Week and the beauty of Easter, let us therefore look ahead with hope and strong confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake. Amen.”
