Talking Point by Fr Vitalis Chikadibia Oguh
IN thinking of the life and times of Bishop Michael Ernest Putney, one cannot but wish to live his kind of life.
Thus, while thinking and reflecting on his person, we cannot but take his lifestyle as a model, a challenge and as such, a project.
Ignited with this consciousness, there is a fundamental need to trust, believe and hope in the God who bestowed on him all these awesome gifts that we all have heard, seen, read and benefitted from.
Indeed, Bishop Michael’s life is a love letter addressed personally to every one of our generation by God, the owner of the universe.
God fashioned him in the matrimonial love of his parents and their upbringing, for love and about love.
Thus, God wishes to use his whole life story to make special sense to those who seek Goodness with a sincere heart.
Bishop Putney’s love had no boundaries of any sort. He loved Christ until death.
I can easily say that he wishes and will be happy if all who admire him love others without reservations and ultimately, to love Christ so that He can make good use of us.
And this is why his life affirms what St Paul says that we “have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right-hand side of God.
Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
Re-echoing these facts of God, in and through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, love and service, during my ordination to the Presbyterate which is his second and very last ordination as a Bishop, he says: “Imitate St Paul, hear those words and let them shape your life.
“Jesus loves you. Love him, too. So that He can make good use of you.
“That’s what matters from now on. Just love him, let him love you.”
Farewell, dear apostle of love and a great Shepherd/Pastor.
Farewell, a harbinger of ecumenism.
Farewell, a humble and awesome teacher.
I will miss you, dearly. With faith in the resurrection, I say, may your benign and saintly soul rest in peace.
Fr Vitalis Chikadibia Oguh is a priest of Townsville diocese, he was ordained earlier this year.
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