… Brands Them Unserious People, as He Confirms 248 Candidates at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Awgbu
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu and Emmanuel Chigozie
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has expressed deep worry over what he has described as the lack of seriousness and commitment by members of the Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) as regards the wellbeing and development of the Universal Church, exhorting them to be up and doing, humble, diligent and to well borrow a leaf from their female counterparts.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who made this known at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Awgbu, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while carrying out his pastoral function, called for attitudinal change, saying that he would continue chastising them.
The Prelate who announced that the last pastoral visit in the parish was in the year 2015, stated that there were unresolved issues that led to his long absence. Noting that he ought to have visited St. Theresa’s Catholic Church about three times since the last Pastoral Visit, he however added that he was happy that most of the issues had been sorted out.
The Local Ordinary who said he left All Saints Parish Awgbu 36 years ago as Parish Priest, admonished Christians to shun what he described as hypocritical tendencies and eye-service, reminding them of the story of Mary Magdalene, whom, he said, was nearly stoned to death for committing the sin of adultery by those whose sins and atrocious acts were far much bigger and repulsive than hers.
He said that anyone who tried to be a judge in another’s case, must ensure they were clean and unblemished, urging the elders, both male and female, to desist from carrying out actions geared towards portraying them as hypocrites and unstable characters.
On the 248, deserving candidates, the Catholic Cleric exhorted them to hold tenaciously to all they were taught and ensure that they lived up to them, charging them to take the matter and doctrines of the Church seriously as confirmed soldiers of Christ.
On the issue of inter-marriage, Bishop Ezeokafor called on parents to work towards seeing their children get married to those of Catholic faith, which he described as superior, original, and founded by Christ Himself, even as he wondered why parents could resist notorious criminals and people with criminal records from marrying their children and could not do same during marriage. He argued that some gave their daughters away for pecuniary reasons.
On the issue of Peter University, Achina/Onneh, the outspoken Prelate said the reason for the high fees was as a result of lack of grants or subvention from the government at all levels, saying the Federal and State universities were cheaper because of the subventions they received from the government, stressing that it was from the fees paid that quality educators, lecturers and non-teaching staff were paid and taken care of.
The Bishop added that if not for character formation and morality, the Church would have opted for investing in industries and more lucrative ventures.
‘I have said it before, and I will continue to say it again. What we are doing is to ensure we train and graduate people with sound minds and God-fearing young people and not clever, intelligent, and smart criminals that we have now in many places. The money we spent in building the university, if divided into ten, can get us a powerful and functional industry that employs as many people as possible, and the Church will be making a lot of profit,’ he stated.
On cleanliness of church premises, Bishop Ezeokafor expressed satisfaction with the neatness of the vicinity, saying he was impressed with the environment.
Appreciating Bishop Ezeokafor for the visit shortly after the Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Awgbu, Reverend Fr. Cyprian Chiekezie (Okanga Jesus) noted that Bishop’s fatherly, all-encompassing love and care, could not be quantified, describing him as a Bishop with a difference.
Admonishing the newly confirmed faithful, Fr. Chiekezie charged them to be regular at morning masses and every other activity of the Church, appealing to them to sustain and keep the fire burning in them.
In their separate speeches, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Anambra State and a parishioner, Hon Chief Ernest Ezeajughi (Ikemba Orumba) who served as the Chief Guest of Honour; the Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Sir James Obele (Ojenanwayo); former two-time House of Assembly member representing Orumba North, Hon Romanus Ugochukwu Obi (Ononenyi), Father of the Day; Chief (Mrs) Ifeoma Okpalaugo (Mother of the Day), who, according to the Parish Priest, came down from Lagos State for the function; Chief Charles Okoye (Onwa), Vice Chairman Parish Pastoral Council; Chief Wilfred Egenti (Ibeabuchi) and the Residential Priest, Reverend Fr. Christopher Nwaonisha, extolled Bishop Ezeokafor for coming and prayed God to continue to keep and sustain him.
Administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on the 248 deserving candidates, cultural dances and displays, speeches, refreshments, and photographs, formed the highpoints of event.