AFRICA/NIGERIA - The Bishop of Oyo at the end of the Year of Saint Joseph: "You become good parents through prayer, family and society"

Friday, 26 November 2021

Oyo (Agenzia Fides) - "To be good parents, one must educate oneself through prayer, knowledge of the word of God, information and counseling", said Mgr. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop of the diocese of Oyo, in reference to the training of young people who will one day be parents. In order for society to want to overcome the current problems of crime and youth unrest, said the prelate, it needs parents who will help young people to become good parents themselves in the future. "Many young people who are good parents have learned from their homes, their own parents and families. This is the ideal everyday environment in which to learn the virtues of parenting," the bishop said. Unfortunately", he emphasizes, "many young people are unable to take advantage of this opportunity. That is why the churches, schools and society must come to their aid. Good parents become good parents by the example given by adults". "Our young people need to become parents like Mary and Joseph", said the Ordinary of Oyo in his message "Like Joseph and Mary: as the Year of St. Joseph is closing" launched on the occasion of its conclusion on 8 December, of the special year dedicated to St. Joseph. "The Church must guide young people to understand how love for Scripture, prayer and obedience to the Word of God are essential for learning the virtues of parenthood. Constant reference must be made to how obedience to God's Word helped Joseph and Mary excel as parents. The Church must teach young people that life is sacred and inviolable, and that every child is made in the image and likeness of Almighty God". In his message, Bishop Badejo also speaks of the role of schools as "a fundamental place where young people learn to be parents". "It is not just a place where you can acquire knowledge, but also a place where you can get information and education about life and society in general". The local community could also be helpful "by providing good role models". "As we say in our country: "Parents have children, but it takes whole villages to raise them". But he concludes with Mahatma Gandhi, he emphasizes, "there is no school that is decent home equals, and no teacher equal to virtuous parents". (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 26/11/2021)


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