"Lead by Example, Protect Your Families": Benin City Deanery CMO Kicks Off 2026 with Call to Spiritual Leadership


-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

​EVBORIARIA – The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of the Benin City Deanery held its first bi-monthly meeting of 2026 on Sunday, January 18, hosted by Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Evboriaria. The gathering, marked by spiritual reflection and administrative planning, served as a powerful call for fathers to reclaim their roles as the spiritual pillars of the home and the Church.

​A Warm Welcome to Sacred Heart Parish

​The meeting commenced with a heartfelt welcome address by Sir Christopher Odjirigho, Chairman of the CMO at Sacred Heart Parish. Welcoming the Deanery and Archdiocesan executives, Sir Odjirigho highlighted the parish’s pride in hosting the prestigious gathering—an event he noted "takes years to re-occur in a single parish."

​He took the opportunity to showcase the tangible impact the CMO has made on the local parish, including:

  • ​The procurement of a digital church bell.
  • ​Significant financial contributions to the ultra-modern sacristy.
  • ​The installation of the church’s steel entrance gate.
  • ​Ongoing active support for the construction of the multipurpose hall.

​

Despite these successes, Sir Odjirigho noted that membership drive remains a challenge among the elderly and fathers in the parish, pledging that the organization will not relent in its recruitment efforts.

​The Father’s Role: Protector and Prayer Leader

​The Parish Priest of Sacred Heart, Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onwuka, addressed the delegates with words of encouragement. Drawing parallels to St. Joseph, he urged men to be the primary protectors of their families.

​"Continue to carry out the role of protecting your family like Joseph did for the infant Jesus," Fr. Onwuka stated. He acknowledged that while the sacrifices of men often go unnoticed by the world, God is fully aware of their labors. He further challenged fathers to:

  • ​Lead family prayers to set a spiritual foundation for their households.
  • ​Embrace self-care, emphasizing that men must take time to relax and enjoy "self-love and appreciation" to remain effective leaders.

​
A Timeless Message: Bearing Witness to Christ

​During the Thanksgiving Mass, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ogude, Assistant Parish Priest of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, delivered a stirring homily. Reflecting on the legacies of John the Baptist and St. Paul, he reminded the congregation that the messages they leave behind can resonate for 2,000 years.

​"We must be mindful of the decisions or statements we make," Fr. Ogude warned, noting how words influence actions. He emphasized that evangelization is not for priests alone: "It is our duty to witness to Christ and ensure people have confidence in us by speaking the truth at all times."

​Empowering the Mission

​In his closing remarks, the President of the CMO Benin City Deanery, Mr. Matthew Esele, expressed profound gratitude to the clergy for their unwavering collaboration. He reaffirmed the Deanery’s core mission: promoting evangelization and providing financial support for the training of priests within the Archdiocese.

​Mr. Esele called on all members to remain steadfast in their financial and spiritual obligations to ensure the CMO achieves its goals for the year 2026.

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