The Archbishop of the Province of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Revd Olusina Fape has described the Diocese of Lagos West of the church as the Diocese planted like a mustard seed that has become an oak tree;
He made the remark in his sermon at the thanksgiving service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the diocese.
The event took place at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday November 20.
While praising the efforts of the Bishop of the Diocese, The Rt. Revd Dr. Olusola Odedeji, he said, “he has taken the Diocese to greater heights and made it the envy of many dioceses in the Church of Nigeria through his dynamic leadership.”
Anniversary theme
Fape who spoke on the anniversary theme: “It is the Lord’s Doing” taken from Psalm 118: 22, 23, said “the ascension of Bishop Odedeji to the See of Lagos West could only be said to be the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in the eyes of all.”
He also applauded the role played by the late pioneer Bishop of the Diocese, Awelewa Adebiyi, adding that he laid a very solid foundation for the Diocese
Citing the victory of David and his acknowledgement of God’s goodness in his life, Fape noted that no matter the plan of the kingdom of darkness, God’s plan for his children will always be fulfilled.
He said: “There is no way we can talk about the diocese of Lagos West, without looking at the life of David.
David saw his ascendance to the throne as the Lord’s doing. God’s plan for David to reign over Israel was not aborted.” Calling on Christians not to pray for their enemies to die, Fape said if they die, they won’t see God’s glory.
“Today, by the grace of God, we are here gathered to give thanks to God for the silver jubilee inauguration of the Diocese of Lagos West.
‘Indeed, my Lord Bishop, your existence in the last 25 years together with all your teeming members is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
“The strategic position of the Diocese of Lagos West in the Church of Nigeria, in the Supra West in the Province of Lagos, nobody can counter it because God has strategically positioned you, It is the Lord’s doing.’
Generosity
He said ‘the generosity of the diocese of Lagos West is evident to all and can be compared to the Macedonian Church as recorded in the 2nd Corinthians 8:1,3,4, so when it comes to generosity, and giving you stand out by the grace of God.’
Fape acknowledged the hand of God in the diocese while noting that the :diocese is being praised by all and sundry.
He said the Lord has groomed the diocese from the very beginning in 1999. ‘ Today you have become so big with many churches and the clergy in their large numbers, it is the grace of God. The Lord has blessed the diocese with men and women of substance who have been using their resources to serve God in this diocese.’ Fape said.
Bishop Odedeji
In his remark at the event Bishop Odedeji evoked memories of the humble beginning of the diocese.
He recalled the labour of the heroes past led by the pioneer Bishop, Dr. Awelewa AdebIyi. He praised the Late Bishop for the legacy left and the solid foundation laid with other principal officers like the Chancellor, Justice OpeOluwa Ogunade, the Registrar, Prince Bambo Adesanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and the Treasurer, Dr. Toyin Okeowo.
The thanksgiving service was attend by over 30 bishops from various dioceses of the Anglican Communion and members drawn from all churches and dioceses