After completing the exhumation of Bishop John Brady in France, Fr Robert Cross joined Archbishop Barry Hickey in Nigeria to celebrate the Thanksgiving Mass of Fr Emmanuel Dimobi who was ordained a priest at St Mary’s Cathedral on 4 March. It was, as Archbishop Hickey and Fr Cross found out, a colourful affair …
Fr Cross assisted in Fr Dimobi being accepted as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Perth
Fr Cross commented that while the Thanksgiving Mass had nothing to do with the exhumation of Bishop Brady, it illustrated a point that goes all the way back to Bishop Brady, namely that the Archdiocese of Perth from its inception, as is the case for most Dioceses in Australia, has always depended on missionary priests to provide for its pastoral needs. Fr Cross said, “These days traditional sources such as Ireland are no longer able to provide missionaries.
“Consequently, the net to recruit missionaries has been cast by Archbishop Hickey to all the continents of the world. Some have questioned this decision and similar decisions made by other Bishops in Australia.
“However, I thank God for the wisdom, vision and courage of the Archbishop in welcoming these clergy.
“In recruiting far and wide, the Archdiocesan clergy has come to have a diverse ethnic mix that I think better serves the pastoral needs of the diverse ethnic mix of people that constitutes the Church of Perth today.”
The Thanksgiving Mass of Fr Emmanuel Dimobi was held in the packed parish Church of St Patrick in the town of Aguluzigbo.
His mother, family, clergy and many friends helped celebrate the occasion with him.
After the Mass, female drum bands and an international acrobatic troupe continued the celebrations in a festive manner, along with the obligatory speeches and cutting of the thanksgiving cake.
Fr Cross said, “I was overwhelmed by the vibrancy of the Church and faith in Nigeria”. He said it was integral to the daily lives of people. “The Church in Australia could learn a lot from Nigeria.”photos: fr robert cross