The Catholic Church in Nigeria, its Lagos Archdiocese and the Nigerian Christian community recently lost the country’s oldest Catholic priest, a teacher and a veteran of the Nigerian Army, Monsignor (Col.) Pedro Ayodele Martins (rtd), at the age of 103.
The well loved cleric died on May 16, 2014 from health complications related to old age. He made history as the first Lagosian to be ordained a Catholic priest, the pioneer Nigerian Catholic Chaplain of the Nigerian Army and the first Nigerian Director of the Nigerian Army Chaplaincy Services (Catholic).
Martins, who had his secondary school education at the famous King’s College, Lagos, before going into a seminary in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was also reputed to be the oldest living retired military officer in the country before he passed on.
With his death, the Catholic Church has lost one of its renowned and dedicated priests, while the nation lost an outstanding compatriot, who believed strongly in one united and indivisible Nigeria.
Born in Lagos on November 16, 1910 to the family of Marcelino Domingo Martins and Regina Clarice Martins, the young Martins was ordained a priest by Bishop Patrick J. Kelly SMA of Benin City, in the present day Edo State, on August 8, 1943. After his ordination, he studied further at the University College, Cork, in Ireland.
The departed centenarian, who ministered as a priest for 70 years, also served humanity in different capacities. Besides being a teacher at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, he ministered in several parishes in the Lagos Archdiocese. He served as the Vicar General to the then Archbishop of Lagos, now Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie. He was elevated to the position of a Monsignor in 1970.
Pedro Martins served in the Congo and with many Army formations in Nigeria. He was said in some quarters to have coined the Federal Military Government’s civil war slogan, “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.”
Since his death, prominent Nigerians have eulogised him in glowing terms. The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev (Dr.) Felix Omobude, has thanked God Monsignor Martins’ good example, and urged all Nigerians to learn from his sacrificial life.
Similarly, the General Overseer of the Vineyard Christian Ministries Worldwide, Archbishop John Osa-Oni, saluted the courage and good example of the departed veteran priest and Army Chaplain.
Monsignor Pedro was a quintessential priest and a patriot. He will be remembered for his selfless service to the church, the nation and the society in general. It is good that he lived a life worthy of emulation and kept the faith without wavering. He was strictly devoted to his calling, and remained a shining example in this regard. Pedro brought honour and dignity to priesthood. For him, full devotion to the service of God was a vocation worthy of his entire life. Throughout his life, he upheld the respect and dignity of the office of a priest. Pedro lived a life of Spartan self-discipline. His life is a vivid testimony to the fact that, with dedication, one can excel in any chosen field of human endeavour and impact the society positively.
Monsignor Martins, also, did not waver in his observance of the oaths of chastity, poverty and celibacy, that are taken by Catholic priests. He was a role model and an exemplary leader. His life touched so many people. We advise modern day Nigerian clerics, especially those of the Catholic faith, to study and emulate the good example of Pedro.
Above all, we urge the Catholic Church, Nigerian Army Chaplaincy authorities and the Federal Government to immortalise this exemplary cleric for his numerous positive contributions to the church, Army Chaplaincy and the nation.
We commiserate with his immediate family, the Catholic Church, the people of Lagos State and the Christian community in the country, on the passage of this great man. May God grant his soul eternal repose.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria, its Lagos Archdiocese and the Nigerian Christian community recently lost the country’s oldest Catholic priest, a teacher and a veteran of the Nigerian Army, Monsignor (Col.) Pedro Ayodele Martins (rtd), at the age of 103.
The well loved cleric died on May 16, 2014 from health complications related to old age. He made history as the first Lagosian to be ordained a Catholic priest, the pioneer Nigerian Catholic Chaplain of the Nigerian Army and the first Nigerian Director of the Nigerian Army Chaplaincy Services (Catholic).
Martins, who had his secondary school education at the famous King’s College, Lagos, before going into a seminary in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was also reputed to be the oldest living retired military officer in the country before he passed on.
With his death, the Catholic Church has lost one of its renowned and dedicated priests, while the nation lost an outstanding compatriot, who believed strongly in one united and indivisible Nigeria.
Born in Lagos on November 16, 1910 to the family of Marcelino Domingo Martins and Regina Clarice Martins, the young Martins was ordained a priest by Bishop Patrick J. Kelly SMA of Benin City, in the present day Edo State, on August 8, 1943. After his ordination, he studied further at the University College, Cork, in Ireland.
The departed centenarian, who ministered as a priest for 70 years, also served humanity in different capacities. Besides being a teacher at St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, he ministered in several parishes in the Lagos Archdiocese. He served as the Vicar General to the then Archbishop of Lagos, now Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie. He was elevated to the position of a Monsignor in 1970.
Pedro Martins served in the Congo and with many Army formations in Nigeria. He was said in some quarters to have coined the Federal Military Government’s civil war slogan, “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.”
Since his death, prominent Nigerians have eulogised him in glowing terms. The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev (Dr.) Felix Omobude, has thanked God Monsignor Martins’ good example, and urged all Nigerians to learn from his sacrificial life.
Similarly, the General Overseer of the Vineyard Christian Ministries Worldwide, Archbishop John Osa-Oni, saluted the courage and good example of the departed veteran priest and Army Chaplain.
Monsignor Pedro was a quintessential priest and a patriot. He will be remembered for his selfless service to the church, the nation and the society in general. It is good that he lived a life worthy of emulation and kept the faith without wavering. He was strictly devoted to his calling, and remained a shining example in this regard. Pedro brought honour and dignity to priesthood. For him, full devotion to the service of God was a vocation worthy of his entire life. Throughout his life, he upheld the respect and dignity of the office of a priest. Pedro lived a life of Spartan self-discipline. His life is a vivid testimony to the fact that, with dedication, one can excel in any chosen field of human endeavour and impact the society positively.
Monsignor Martins, also, did not waver in his observance of the oaths of chastity, poverty and celibacy, that are taken by Catholic priests. He was a role model and an exemplary leader. His life touched so many people. We advise modern day Nigerian clerics, especially those of the Catholic faith, to study and emulate the good example of Pedro.
Above all, we urge the Catholic Church, Nigerian Army Chaplaincy authorities and the Federal Government to immortalise this exemplary cleric for his numerous positive contributions to the church, Army Chaplaincy and the nation.
We commiserate with his immediate family, the Catholic Church, the people of Lagos State and the Christian community in the country, on the passage of this great man. May God grant his soul eternal repose.
Culled from Sun Newspaper
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