The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most. Rev. Adewale Martins, yesterday, charged priests to ensure responsible online evangelism to tackle misinformation.
Martins gave the charge at the 2026 Lagos Catholic Archdiocesan Chrism Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.
The church service also known as
Holy Thursday service marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum also called the Holy Week.
The archbishop said that online evangelism must be done with integrity.
According to him, the digital space provides opportunities for people to discuss, argue, celebrate, confess and also hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“The church is fully aware that this square exists and is fully alive. The people we are sent to serve are already there.
“The gospel therefore has reasons to enter there.
“Priests, who stand sacramentally in the person of Christ, the Head of the church, must enter it as priests.
“As a priest, ask yourself: Has my presence online increased my love for Christ or diminished my connection with Him?” he said.
In a sermon, Rev. Fr. Paul Akin-Otiko of the Saint Thomas Moore Catholic Chaplaincy, University of Lagos, said that it was important to have the re-assurance that the “Spirit of the Lord is upon us’ (the priests).
Akin-Otiko urged priests to be stronger in their faith.
“The mission is not about you but about God and His power to open the hearts and minds of the people to hear His Word through you”.