Christians Urged To Embrace Prudence

The Grand Knight of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM), Victoria Garden City (VGC) Sub-Council, Lagos, Sir Anthony Chiejina, has described prudence as one of the four cardinal virtues of Christian life.

He urged members of the order to make it the guiding principle for their personal conduct, leadership and service to the Catholic Church and society.

In a lecture titled, “Living the Virtue of Prudence: Lessons from the Servant of God, Fr. Abraham Anselm Isidahome Ojefua,” at the Ojefua Day/KSM Founder’s Day Lecture held at St Philip & James Catholic Church, Idado, Lekki, Lagos, Chiejina said prudence goes beyond mere caution and represents the wisdom needed to discern the right course of action.

He identified prudence alongside justice, fortitude and temperance as the four cardinal virtues of Christian life, stressing that they enable Christians to make sound moral judgments and take responsible actions.

Quoting St. Thomas Aquinas, Chiejina described prudence as the “charioteer of the virtues” because it directs other virtues towards truthful, balanced and morally responsible action.

According to him, prudence enables Christians to “see clearly, judge rightly, and act wisely at the right time, in the right manner, and for the right reason,” warning that courage without prudence could become recklessness, generosity could become wastefulness, while justice without prudence could become harshness.

Reflecting on the life of the founder of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Fr. Abraham Anselm Ojefua, Chiejina described the establishment of the order in 1953 as a prudent response to the challenges facing the Catholic Church in Nigeria, including the influence of secret societies and the need for a disciplined lay organisation.

He said Fr. Ojefua responded by establishing a faith-based fraternity dedicated to supporting the clergy, strengthening Catholic identity and contributing to national development rather than reacting with fear to the prevailing challenges.