—- Bishop Ezeokafor to Fresh Students of Fides School of Theology and Evangelization
By Michael Nnebife and Wise Yakubu
It was a joyous and momentous occasion for the Management and students of Fides School of Theology and Evangelization, Awka, as they gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, for their 2024/2025 and Second Matriculation Ceremony.
The historic event, which took place on Saturday, 5th April, 2025, also featured the graduation of 2015 to 2024 Set, and commissioning of new evangelizers by the Proprietor of the School and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor.
The triple event, which began with a Pontifical Mass, attracted the presence of the Vice-Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Enugu State, Rev Fr Prof Christian Anieke, represented by the Director, New Evengelisation Research and Ministry of the University, Rev Fr Dr Callistus Anieke.
In a homily during the Mass, Bishop Ezeokafor stated the essence of the School, saying that Church earnestly wanted to have lay faithful who were exposed and learned about the things of God.
The Prelate expressed the belief that when the lay faithful were knowledgeable about the things of God, the work of a priest would be easier for him.
‘Man created in the image of God needs to be trained to be near perfect and knowledgeable about the things of God and the world,’ the Prelate said, noting that the Church earnestly wanted to have learned and exposed lay faithful.’
‘If a priest has Christians who are so ignorant of many things about God and Theology, he will be suffering to get certain things done.
‘My dear brothers and sisters, we are happy to have you. What we want of you is to be serious and always use your opportunity and facilities to advertise God and your school.
‘Allow Theology courses to go through you for your good and the good of the people around you.
‘Don’t just clamour to have a certificate, but inside you, you have nothing. Make sure you acquire knowledge in Theology courses so that at the end of the day, you have something and be happy for it,’ Bishop Ezeokafor advised the students.
Commissioning the new evangelizers, the Bishop admonished them to be authentic witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that through them, the Gospel might reach every nook and cranny of the earth.
He thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University Administrative Team of the School for their services, and the dignitaries that graced the epoch-making event, especially the Founder and Pioneer Director of the School, Rev Msgr Jerome Madueke, for initiating the idea for the school.
In his address, the Director of the School, Rev Fr Dr Celestine Muonwe, said that the separation of Christianity from culture could only impoverish culture, resulting in the present upsurge of neo-paganism, insecurity and corruption in Igbo Land.
‘This is a sign that evangelization is falling badly in Igbo Land,’ he said and emphasized the need to revise the strategies to speaking the Gospel message to Igbo man of today.
According to him, the entire History of Evangelization in the Church had been a constant tension between the faith and creative reason.
‘In this struggle, Catholic Theology upholds that culture or creative reason must be guided by shining light of faith,’ he said, urging the new students to commit themselves to studies laid down before them, taking as guiding principles, creativity, sacrifice and holiness.
To the graduands, he advised them to be ambassadors of the School and shining light of the Gospel.
Also, in his keynote address, the representative of the Godfrey Okoye University’s Vice-Chancellor, Rev Fr Dr Anieke, emphasized the strong tie between Fides School of Theology and Evangelisation, Awka, and the University, stressing that the School had become part of the University.
‘I stand before you today to introduce you to the beginning of a transformative journey in your lives and the lives of those you will touch through your evangelization talents and skills.
‘Throughout your stay here, you will engage in profound theological studies, develop essential new evangelization and ministry skills for effective pastoral collaborative ministry. Embrace this opportunity with open hearts and minds,’ he advised the students.
The Vice-Chancellor told the graduands and newly commissioned evangelizers, among other things, that evangelization was not just a task, but a way of life.
‘I encourage you to carry the knowledge acquired from here into the world; share your faith with confidence, engage in meaningful conversations, and seek opportunities to serve those in need, especially our youths, who are engaging in the realm of neo-paganism, yahoo business, kidnapping and other aspects of criminality,’ he advised.
While speaking with Fides, the Founder of the School, Rev Msgr Madueke, charged the new evangelizers to be active ambassadors and protagonists of Christian Faith wherever they found themselves.
In separate interviews with Fides, some of the new evangelizers and the new students, who included Sir Michael Madueke, and Mrs Angela Oranwusi, respectively, expressed gratitude to Awka Diocese for giving them the opportunity to be part of the all-important and enormous task of witnessing to the Gospel of Christ, and promised to live up to the standard expected of them.
Declaration of loyalty by the matriculants, issuing of certificates to the graduands, among others, climaxed the event.