…As He Rededicates Magnificent Church Building in Awka
By Michael Nnebife and Chinonso Samson
It was a solemn moment of celebrations and fulfilment for the priests, and the parishioners of St Peter’s Catholic Church, Awka, including their friends and well-wishers, as the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, rededicated the church’s building, renovated by Hon Chudi Offodile (an illustrious son of the soil) and his family in loving memory of their parents, Chief Chris and Mrs Priscilla Offodile, to give the building a facelift and make it a befitting temple of God.
The memorable event, which attracted heavy presence of Catholic priests, religious men and women, indigenous priests and religious, politicians, among others, began with a Pontifical Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Ezeokafor, who thanked Hon Offodile, as well as Engr Prince Arthur Eze and Chief Augustine Ndigwe, whom, he said, contributed immensely when the building was originally constructed.
Performing the rededication rites, the Bishop, who expressed satisfaction over the modifications done on the edifice, prayed God to reward Hon Offodile, as well as other contributors, and make the edifice to be a house of salvation and grace where believers would gather for fellowship and worship in spirit and truth.
The Prelate, who explained that the Church was a glorious house specially set aside for no other activities than communion with and worship of God, enjoined St Peter’s Catholic faithful to strive to allow their bodies to be temple of God.
He reminded them of the need to belong to any of the Catholic pious societies, which, he said, helped to keep their faith strong.
He exhorted them to leave a lasting legacy through their service to the Church and community.
While reminding them of the inevitability of persecution that could come their way as a result of their belief, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese cautioned individuals or groups that oppressed Catholic women in the area for observing the dust-to-dust burial ritual, warning that the Church would no longer take the issue lightly.
The Chief Bishop who said every individual had freedom of religion, argued that oppressing the women in any form for observing the dust-to-dust ritual was unjust and illegal.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Donatus Esiegbue, expressed gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor for the fatherly care and concern the parish enjoyed.
Rev Fr Esiegbue recounted the cordial father-child relationship existing between the Bishop and the parish, especially as it concerned the renovation and other development projects in the parish.
In an address of welcome, the parishioners expressed resolve to continue to hold fast unto their faith, not minding distractions from different angles.
Reflecting on the past, the Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council, Lady Ngozi Meg Okoye who read the address on behalf of the parish, said that St Peter’s Parish had come a long way since its inception as a zone in 1978, quasi-parish and full-fledged parish on 1st January and 4th September 2002, respectively.
‘We make bold to say that we have been blessed with articulated and hardworking parish priests whose efforts culminated in the dedication of St Peter’s Church on 16th July 2016 by His Lordship, Most Rev Paulinus C. Ezeokafor,’ Lady Okoye said.
According to her, most of the structures put in the church before the arrival of the incumbent Parish Priest had deteriorated…; the church ceiling falling apart, the rails broken and the church compound in disrepair.
She said the priest, on arrival, immediately went to work and completed re-ceiling of the church building, constructed a new state-of-the-art Altar, among others.
‘With these renovations, it became necessary to rededicate the church as most of the structures in place during the dedication have been removed or renovated,’ the secretary said.
Among the highlights of the event which took place on Saturday, 28th December, 2024, were planting of rededication tree by the Bishop, and presentation of awards of excellence to numerous individuals, including Hon Offodile known as ‘Ide of St Peter’s.’