San Francisco archbishop urges new Nigerian priests to be ‘friends and fathers’ to their people

MAKURDI, Nigeria — Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco urged 14 newly ordained priests in Nigeria to model their ministry on Christ’s sacrificial love and remain close to those entrusted to their pastoral care.In his homily during the Aug. 22 priestly ordinations of 14 deacons for the Diocese of Makurdi, Cordileone said the commandment Jesus gave the apostles during his farewell discourse provides a fundamental framework for understanding the identity and mission of the Catholic priest.“Be friends…