Archbishop Kaigama Dedicates St. Donald’s Church, Confirms 79 Faithful
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, on Sunday dedicated the newly completed church building of St. Donald’s Catholic Parish, Karu, describing the occasion as a milestone in the spiritual growth of the parish and a testament to the faith, sacrifice and commitment of its members.
The dedication Mass, attended by priests, religious, parishioners and dignitaries, also featured the Sacrament of Confirmation for 79 candidates, who received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in one of the Church’s most significant rites of Christian initiation.
In his homily, Archbishop Kaigama urged the faithful to see the newly dedicated church not merely as an impressive structure but as a sacred place where lives are transformed through worship, prayer and service to God.
He reminded the congregation that while the physical church had been consecrated for divine worship, Christians themselves are called to become living temples of God through holiness, love and faithful witness.
“The beauty of this church should inspire us to build lives that reflect Christ. A church building is important, but an even greater temple is the human heart dedicated to God,” he said.
The Archbishop congratulated the parish community for their perseverance, generosity and unwavering commitment throughout the period of construction, noting that the successful completion of the project demonstrated what unity of purpose and faith could achieve.
He charged the newly confirmed candidates to remain steadfast in their Christian faith, explaining that Confirmation was not the end of their spiritual journey but the beginning of a deeper commitment to evangelisation and service in the Church.
According to him, the Holy Spirit received through the sacrament should empower them to defend their faith, live exemplary Christian lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
He also encouraged parents, sponsors and the wider parish community to continue nurturing the spiritual growth of the newly confirmed faithful through prayer, good example and active participation in the life of the Church.
The Parish Priest, Revd.Fr. Kennedy Ohazuruike expressed gratitude to Archbishop Kaigama for presiding over the historic celebration and thanked parishioners, benefactors and all who contributed financially and spiritually to the completion of the church building.
He described the dedication as the fulfilment of a long-held dream for the parish and pledged that the facility would continue to serve as a centre for worship, evangelisation and community development.
The colourful celebration featured hymns, thanksgiving, cultural displays and prayers of dedication as parishioners marked what many described as a defining moment in the history of St. Donald’s Catholic Parish, Karu.
