By Elizabeth Osayande

Femi Otedola’s mother, Lady Christine Doja Otedola, along with four others, will receive Papal Honours from the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins. The Honours will be conferred on Saturday, September 14 at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

Lady Otedola and Mr. Julius Olufunsho Britto will receive Medals in the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice category, while Mr. Peter Amangbo will be invested as a Knight of St. Gregory. Additionally, Messrs Walter Akpani and Peter Nwanze will be invested as Knights of St. Sylvester.

The recipients are being recognized by Pope Francis for their dedication and exceptional service to the Church in different Apostolates. And the awards are usually given, based on recommendations from Bishops or Papal Nuncios, for specific services rendered to the Catholic Church.

According to His Grace, the Archbishop, “These individuals have distinguished themselves in faith and morals, and have contributed immensely to the growth of the Church and Society. The Awards are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to living out their faith.”

The Investiture Ceremony will take place within the Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of The Holy Cross, and is expected to attract many congregants and well-wishers from all walks of life.

Papal Orders of the Knighthood are bestowed in the name of the Pope by his authority as Head of the Holy See and Sovereign of the Vatican City State. The Order of St. Gregory the Great was established for men by Pope Gregory XVI on September 1, 1831. However, in 1994, women were also included in this Papal Award category.

In 1841, Pope Gregory XVI reformed the Order of the Golden Spur as an Order of Merit, leading to the creation of the Order of St. Sylvester and the Golden Militia. Further reforms in 1905 brought about the separation of that Order into the Orders of St. Sylvester and the Golden Spur. The Order of St. Sylvester is presented in the same class and grade as the Order of St. Gregory the Great and Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, or Cross of Honour, which was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.