A Christian leader cares for others – Archbishop Ndagoso

Catholic News Service of Nigeria – Jos, Nigeria

Archbishop Ndagoso made the remarks recently at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria. The Archbishop was speaking at the installation of  Archbishop Matthew Ishaya  Audu as the third indigenous Archbishop of Jos.

From the Church, within the Church and for the Church

“The first mark of authentic Christian leadership is the care for others no matter what they say about the leader or even do to him. In other words, the loyalty of a Christian leader to Christ defies circumstances. Jesus is the yardstick or model of Christian leadership and not anyone out there. Consequently, and strictly speaking, a Christian leader does not have, so to speak, a personal business. The Church is his business. His commission comes from the Church, within the Church and for the Church.”

The love of Christ inspires Christian leadership

Archbishop Ndagoso exhorted all leaders in the Church and at every level to espouse the love of Christ.

“For us Christians, love is the greatest privilege we have which also brings the greatest task and responsibility. It brought Peter a task and a Cross. Peter may not have had the intellectual capacity of John, who had the gift of deep thought. He may not have had the gift of Paul, who travelled to the ends of the earth to spread the Gospel. He, however, had the lovely honour and task of being the shepherd of the sheep of Christ,” Archbishop Ndagoso said.

Religious leaders are not called to success but to faithfulness

Our leadership role must serve the common good and not a select few, even when our kith and kin are involved.” He added, “our success as religious leaders in whatever we do depends to a very large extent on our faithfulness to the will of God because, as priests, we are called not to success but to faithfulness.”

A Bishop for all regardless of tribe or even religion

Archbishop Ndagoso also reminded the new Archbishop of the social responsibilities of his episcopate.

“You are Archbishop for all regardless of tribe, religion, political affiliation. Every Christian religious leader must be mindful of the fact that there are other sheep of Jesus that do not belong to the fold which must also be brought in (cf. John 10: 16) and this can only happen when the Gospel is offered in a respectful manner and open dialogue,” emphasised the prelate of Kaduna.”