By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu and Wise Yakubu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, Sunday, 26 January 2025, visited St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ebenebe, in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who received a rousing ovation from the parishioners during the visit, blessed and commissioned the newly built and equipped Reverend Father’s Rectory and also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 104 candidates.
In a homily during the concelebrated Holy Mass, Bishop Ezeokafor stated that he was in the parish since the previous day and spent time with all the stakeholders in St. Joseph, including the Mary League members and the Parish Pastoral Council, saying that a lot was discussed and that one of the issues raised was the issue of Inweogba Tradition practiced by the locals where a widow would be subjected to all manners of inhuman treatment.
He frowned at it and urged the community leaders to do away with what he described as obnoxious and archaic endeavours, saying that the act would prevent any widow who might wish to maintain purity after her husband’s death and would increase and encourage waywardness.
The charismatic and influential prelate said he was happy that the traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Chris Emeka Nnaegbuna JP, Iga II, Eze Ebenebe, was on ground to hear him speak against the Inweogba Practice, urging the monarch and his cabinet members to find a way to remedy the situation.
‘It is absurd and should be stopped. Why will you take a widow to a deity in a shrine and force her into what she doesn’t believe in all in the name of tradition. You are doing that to prevent men who may wish to visit her from dying. What if she didn’t want to be touched or visited? Why is it that men who lost their wives are not passing through such practice? Why the women alone? It should be abolished.
‘Another thing is that after undergoing the practice, she will still come to church to lead the women or to contest key positions. It is unacceptable. That will not happen. You cannot be worshipping idols and still be attending church Services. You must choose one. We are totally against neo-paganism. We have talked about it enough. Say no to neo-paganism and Idol worshipping,’ he exhorted.
‘I came on Saturday after attending the 75th Birthday Anniversary Celebration of the Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Solomon Amatu. It was hectic coming down here, but I insisted and braved it. Coming on Saturday helped me a lot. It availed me the opportunity to interact with the Parish Priest, look into the record books, and ascertain the true position of things. I interfaced with the members of the Parish Pastoral Council, CWO members, CYON members, and members of Mary League. Issues were raised and addressed.
‘The last pastoral visit here at St. Joseph’s was on the 12th of October, 2014, by then Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke. It has been a long time. My coming on Saturday also helped me to pass a night in the new building. You all know that I live in the old house at Okpuno. My house was built in 1978. That is where Bishop A.K. Obiefuna stayed, and I’m staying there now. I may decide not to go back again, only that the Diocese will not allow you people to keep me here,’ the visibly happy Bishop Ezeokafor joked.
The Local Ordinary, who explained the importance of Pastoral Visit by a Diocesan Bishop, commended the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Charles Mbonu; his assistant and the Manager of Holy Spirit Secondary School, Ebenebe, Rev. Fr. Callistus C. Nworgu, and enjoined them to sustain the tempo.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman of the occasion and member representing Awka North State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. John Mark C. Ikwunne and the Vice Chairman Parish Pastoral Council, Sir Fidelis Chigbata, KSM, thanked the Bishop for the visit, describing it as apt and timely, adding that his visit emboldened their spirit, as well as gave them so much to talk about.
Commissioning and blessing of the newly built and furnished Father’s House, administering of the Sacrament of Confirmation on 104 deserving candidates, formed the high points of the visit.