In an exclusive interview with Treasures Unveiler, Archbishop of Lagos graciously shares insights on nurturing young talents. His wisdom sheds light on empowering youth, unveiling the potential that enriches communities. Join us as he advocates for fostering and guiding the brilliance of tomorrow’s leaders.
Treasures Unveiler: Greetings, Your Grace. We, the media team of “Treasures Unveiler,” are honoured to be present here today. Our publication is a proud initiative of Spiritans Sound Outreach, a Youth Apostolate under the esteemed guidance of the worldwide missionary Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers, led by Rev. Fr Oluwafemi Victor Orilua CSSp. Spiritans Sound Outreach is dedicated to the discovery, encouragement, and promotion of young talents, with a particular focus on music, art, and writing.
Your Grace, could you kindly introduce youself?
Archbishop: I am, Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of Lagos. I was ordained some 40 years ago, nearly 40 years ago now, and have been a bishop of the Archdiocese of Lagos in the last 12 years. So, we continue to do our best, by the grace of God.
Treasures Unveiler: Your Grace, in what ways can creative expressions like music and arts be integrated into religious education programs to make them more appealing and relatable to young people?
Archbishop: Absolutely, it is extremely important that music, drama, film-making, writing, pictures, paintings, and the rest of them should be put to use. I think, over the years they have been used because I remember that when I was a child, dramas were being acted in order to tell stories, Bible stories, and to teach things about the faith and the sacraments and the power of the sacraments. It has been part and parcel of the life of the church. I can remember that religious books- religious instruction books also have these pictures and drawings that tend to tell the stories. Of course, music is also important. So, I certainly think that these artistic expressions are very important. They need to be, not only encouraged, but also enhanced. There is a need to use the means that are available now but were not available before (Improved technology) to ensure that we get the best that is possible from these artistic artists who are using their talents to preach the gospel.
Obviously, there are many kinds of possibilities with regards to costume, with regards to audio, with regards to video, that are much available now, which were not available in the past. So, I am hoping that with an outfit such as yours with these new dimensions will add quality and value to the artistic expressions that have always been there.
Treasures Unveiler: Thank you so much Your Grace. How can Spiritans Sound Outreach on the wider community support the initiatives of the Archdiocese of Lagos in nurturing young talents and fostering faith-based activities?
Archbishop: Well, I expect that the young talents would already, by themselves be members of the different youth groups that we have in the Church. For instance, they are members of Catholic Youth Organisation, Legion of Mary, and members of the different associations we have in the Church. Bringing their talents into use in those different associations would be a way by which their talents are nurtured. I mean, if you look at those groups and associations (Catholic Youth Organisation, Legion of Mary, Altar Servers and so on) as initiatives of the church, then that is the place in which they would be able to support those initiatives. For instance, look at an activity we had for grandparents and the elderly at the Holy Cross here- We had the children of the MCA coming to display their talents in order to make the event colourful and interesting. If CWO (Catholic Women Organisation) were to be having an event, for example, and Spiritans Sound has a drama that is going to be benefitting for the occasion, they (Spiritan Sound) would have enhanced the occasion with their talents. I remember that you people (Spiritan Sound) usually come for the Christmas celebrations for priests and religious. By so doing, you bring your artistic skills to good use. So, I just encourage that we keep along discovering these new ways of reaching out to people.
Treasures Unveiler: What message of encouragement would you give to artists and musicians, including writers, who might be facing challenges in pursuing their creative passions while remaining true to the faith?
Archbishop: Well, first, I would say that there is nothing good that does not have its own challenges. If something is of real value, then somehow, some measures of challenges are bound to be found along the way. Firstly, they should not allow discouragement to be part and parcel of their endeavours; I mean, they should not even allow discouragement to appear in their scheme of things. They must expect that challenges will arise and be prepared to face them when they arise. Secondly, I would also ask that artist of different kinds who are followers of Christ need to anchor on Christ first. They need to anchor on Christ, their faith, and the church, because that is what will give them the content, they need in order to keep forging ahead and be able to give out materials that are of value. In other words, they should be very knowledgeable; enhance their knowledge of the faith, enhance their knowledge of the church, and get into real relationship with Christ himself, so that they will be able to know who they want to project through their artistic works.
Well, maybe in putting their artistic talents into use they may face obstacles with regards to finance and with regards to people who are going to manage them and all of that. Obviously, those are practical problems that arise, which I think, those who are older in the practice should put them in the right direction.
Treasures Unveiler: Thank you, Your Grace, for this conversation. The Spiritan Sound Outreach encourages young talents to share their stories and experiences through writing. How do you believe these narratives can influence the broader faith community positively?
Archbishop: Well, certainly, it is obvious in my estimation that this would help. In the first instance, when the artist expresses himself or herself, he or she is honing the talent that is already there. He or she is becoming better because the more he or she expresses himself or herself, the better he or she gets and the more easily the message can be put across as they gather more experience. Of course, by the time that is happening, they are having an influence on those who are beneficiaries of the talents that is being shared. I believe that what needs to be put clearly into perspective is how to encourage those who have the talents to use them in such a way that they are constantly developing and at the same time giving something to assist those who are receptors of their talents to get the message they are passing on.
I think that artists over the centuries and over time, have made great contributions to civilization, they have made contributions to culture, to faith and even to science. As such, we need to just continue to encourage those who have the talents; best of all, by training them, and giving them more training, but also by encouraging them not to allow difficulties along the way to stop them from getting on with what they need to do.
Treasures Unveiler: What is your vision for the future of artistic and creative individuals within the archdiocese of Lagos and its impact on the younger generation?
Archbishop: I mentioned before that there is need for training of those that have talents. One of the initiatives of the Archdiocese is the training that is made available at the media center of the Archdiocese. It provides training for those who want to go into drama and other different areas. I am hoping we can develop even further on this such that young people can get to understand that this initiative is there for them. I am hoping that as we go into the future, it will feature more and more in the choices that young people want to make for their own training in the area of the arts. I am hoping that as groups such as yours also grow in capacity and all of that, you will be able to make more input into religious education, for instance, with regards to the books that we read, with regards to videos and short clips that can help children to understand the message of the gospel. As we go to catechism classes, we can have projectors for videos that can help the young people to learn. I am also hoping that as you grow, all of this will be part and parcel of what you need to do and what needs to be done in order to reach greater heights.
Treasures Unveiler: We are grateful, Your Grace, for giving us the opportunity to be with you today. We hope that we have future collaborations with you. Thank you.
Archbishop: I wish you the best. Thank you. God bless you.
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