… Confirms 273 Young Catholics
By Michael Nnebife and R.K Yakubu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, has charged the people of Nawgu in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State, to always show compassion and love to all, particularly their enemies, for a peaceful society.
The Catholic Bishop gave the charge while delivering a homily in a Holy Mass during his episcopal visit to St Michael’s Catholic Parish, Nawgu, on Sunday, 23rd February, 2025.
The Bishop, whose message was centred on love for one’s enemy, also advised the people to pray for the good of their enemies as the believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Ezeokafor recounted David’s encounter with King Soul in which David was given an ample opportunity to eliminate his enemy, but decided otherwise.
‘ ”Abishai said to David, ‘God has given your enemy into your hand; now therefore, let me pin him to the earth with one stroke, and I will not strike him twice”.
‘But David replied to Abishai, ”No, don’t do this; first, because he’s my enemy; second, he’s a God’s anointed”,’ the Bishop said, noting that Christ demanded Christians to show unconditional love, even to their enemies, for they were created by God.
The Prelate reminded the people that even at the point of death, Christ, as well as Stephen, used the last minutes of their lives to pray for the forgiveness of their killers, urging them to have and demonstrate the spirit of Christ and Stephen as the followers of Jesus Christ.
Adding that the eye for an eye Mosaic Law of the Old Testament, did none, any good but could render the whole world blind, the Prelate further admonished the people to seek and toe the path of peace all the time.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese who administered the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation on 273 candidates during the epoch-making event, commended St Michael’s Nawgu parishioners for the level of development in the church.
He prayed God to grant quick healing to the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Aaron Abonyi, who was absent at the event as a result of ill health.
Responding, the Priest on relief duty, Rev Fr Patrick Ifewulu, thanked God for the success of the event, and Bishop Ezeokafor, for his paternal care and concern for the Parish.
He expressed gratitude to all the guests, especially his brother priests serving in Nawgu; including those of the Anglican Communion also serving in the community, for identifying with the Parish.
In an address of welcome read by the Chairman, Planning Committee, Hon Ichie Felix Ogbu, during a reception, the Parish continued to appreciate Bishop Ezeokafor, particularly for posting ‘hardworking priests to the Parish’.
They appealed to the Bishop to lift their outstation, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, to a parish status, and assist them to complete their magnificent St Michael’s church building.
Speaking with Fides, the Chairman of the occasion, Sir Fidelis Nwokike, expressed belief that Bishop Ezeokafor’s visit had brought a lot of spiritual and material blessings upon the parishioners.
Sir Nwokike, who said the event was unique, coming 12 years after the Parish witnessed such visit, thanked the Bishop, who, he said, came out of his love for the Parish.
Nwokike however, appealed to Ezeokafor not only to come again as soon as possible but also to be coming every three years for the spiritual needs and growth of the children of the Parish.
‘These children need to see the Bishop at least every three years for them to be given Holy Sacrament of Confirmation, so that they keep on growing in their faith; that’s what we’re saying,’ Nwokike disclosed and prayed for quick healing of the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Abonyi, who he commended for his good work in the Parish.
Special angelic songs by the children and CWO’s Glorious Marching Band, all of the St Michael’s Parish, added glamour to the event, which was attended by the Chancellor of Awka Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Bursar of the Diocese, Rev Fr Nicodemus Izuchukwu; other Catholic and Anglican priests serving Nawgu; the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Sir George Okaa Onwuogu; alongside his wife, and some of his cabinet members; including some Nawgu Catholic knights and Ladies, among others.