…As St Felix’s, Nise, Receives Episcopal Blessings after 10 Years
By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
History was made at Nise in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, paid a visit to St Felix’s Parish, Nise, after 10 years of his last episcopal visit to the Parish.
The historic event which took place on Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th January, 2025, was a beehive of activities featuring youth empowerment in which four members of the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria of the Parish were given N100,000 each as a seed capital to begin businesses; presentation of awards of appreciation to the first generation pillars of faith in the Parish who included Rev Msgr Simon Amateze, the first indigenous Priest; Rev Sr Bibian Akpagu, the first indigenous Reverend Sister; the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe R. N. Iloh, among others.
Speaking in a homily during a Holy Mass Marking the beginning of the August Occasion, Bishop Ezeokafor expressed satisfaction over the pace of development in the Parish.
He thanked the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Dr Joel Okechukwu, for his service, and St Felix’s parishioners, for their contributions and support.
Reflecting on the Feast of the day, the Bishop stated that Jesus Christ, who was without any sin, submitted himself for Baptism so as to set an example and demonstrate the importance of Baptism for the believers.
The Prelate emphasized that baptism was indispensable for believers to make heaven and enjoined them to live out their faith in Christ.
He reminded them that there was no other way to attain salvation except through believing and putting into practice the teachings of Christ and the doctrines of the Church.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who admonished the Christians to totally reject Satan, made it clear that culture and paganism had no correlation.
While regretting that those he called neo-paganists were baptized individuals, the Prelate advised Christian parents to train their children in the way of the Lord.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese, who at the epoch-making event, explained to St Felix’s parishioners, the firm stand of the Diocese on topical issues of serious concern, such as intermarriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic; burial; high fees in Catholic mission schools; among others, administered the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation on150 candidates.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Joel Okechukwu, expressed gratitude to the Bishop for his visit and getting the worrying issues before the parishioners cleared.
The Priest, who disclosed that the centenary celebration of the parish would be coming up this year, thanked the guests, the friends and well-wishers of the parish, for identifying with the parish.
While speaking with Fides shortly after the second part of the event, Rev Fr Okechukwu joyfully thanked God for the success of the event, which activities, he believed, would enhance the spiritual being of the parishioners.
Presenting an address of welcome, the Vice Chairman, Parish Council, Chief A. B. C. Nwosu, on behalf of St Felix’s Parishioners, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his visit which he described as faith-building, and commended him for his numerous achievements, especially the establishment of Peter University.
He explained that the spiritual life of the parishioners was thriving, including their nursery and primary schools, which, he said, were growing and performing creditably despite odds.
‘Recently, we embarked on renovation and maintenance of some of our physical structures,’ the Vice Chairman said.
The event chaired by Sir Chris Ekpe, was graced by numerous priests and religious, who included the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Dean of Amawbia Deanery, Rev Fr Mike Onwukike; and the Director of Fides Media Ltd, Rev Fr Dr Robert Anagboso; the Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sir Chukwuma Okoye, represented by the Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Awka South LGA, Hon Lawrence Chukwuma; the Traditional Ruler of Nise, Igwe Iloh; the President General of Nise Town Union, Chief Tony Nwabuona; including the National Coordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder and Director, Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Aisha Edward Maduagwu, with the members of the home who used the opportunity of the event to present a brand new ambulance donated to them by Sir Paul Chukwuma, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to Bishop Ezeokafor, for his episcopal blessing.