… Urges the Faithful to Repent, or Face Eternal Damnation
By Michael Nnebife and Emmanuel John
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, has blessed a magnificent one-storey rectory and a water borehole project at Holy Trinity Parish, Ndiukwuenu in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, for aggressive evangelism in the community.
The Catholic Bishop, who was on pastoral visit to the Parish, on Sunday, 23rd March, 2025, confirmed 110 young Catholics in the community.
While delivering a homily during a Holy Mass marking the visit, Bishop Ezeokafor inspired by the readings of the day, admonished the Ndiukwuenu Catholic Community to strive to repent of their sins now they had the opportunity so that eternal damnation would elude them.
The Bishop reminded them of the need to make the best use of the opportunity provided by the Lenten season, which he described as a period of prayer, to make amends in their lifestyles, and seek the face of God.
He encouraged them to pray and fast without ceasing to enhance their effort in seeking God in spirit and truth.
The Prelate, who argued that bad behaviour and sin did not only hold some Christians captive, but also hindered their repentance, urged the faithful to strive to deliver themselves from the slavery of bad behaviour and sin.
While regretting that some people served God only when it was convenient, Bishop Ezeokafor encouraged Christians to be strongly committed in serving God and the Church.
Noting that God is perfect, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese advised Christians to be perfect and show the image of God by living a life of love and charity.
While encouraging the efforts of the Ndiukwuenu Catholic Community in their service to God, the Bishop prayed that his visit to the Holy Trinity Parish would bring blessings spiritually and materially upon the faithful in the community.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Donatus Oragwam, thanked the Bishop for his love, fatherly care, the and support the parish enjoyed.
He expressed gratitude to the guests and the friends of the parish for coming to rejoice with the parishioners. He also thanked Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Nwafor, the first indigenous Priest of the Parish, for assisting the Parish with the borehole project.
In his opening remarks during the second part of the epoch-making event, the Chairman of the occasion, Evangelist Sunday Nwafor, described the episcopal visit as a great thing of joy for the entire people of Ndiukwuenu Community.
In their address of welcome read by the Secretary, Parish Council, Mrs Bridget Nwafor, the Holy Trinity parishioners appreciated Bishop Ezeokafor for fulfilling his promise to build a befitting rectory for them.
They thanked the Bishop for the numerous developments in the parish and for posting to the parish, Rev Fr Oragwam.
According to them, since Fr Oragwam came to the parish, many things had changed positively, including the number of souls won for Christ.
The Holy Trinity parishioners however begged the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese to assist them more, not only in continuation of their church building project, but also in establishing more church presence in their community by setting up high schools and health facilities.
The dignitaries that graced the epoch-making event, included the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; Bishop Ezeokafor’s Secretary, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Diocesan Education Secretary, Rev Fr Maximus Okonkwo; the Dean, Ugwuoba Deanery, Rev Fr Venatius Ogbuagu; the Diocesan Bursar, Rev Fr Nicodemus Izuchukwu; the Deputy Director, Fides Media Ltd and son of the soil, Rev Fr Constantine Okoli; an Anglican priest in charge of St Philip’s Church, Ndiukwuenu, the Rev’d Dr Eric Igboanugo; a host of other Catholic priests; the Traditional Ruler of Obeledu in Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, Igwe Chijioke Oragwam; the President General of Ndiukwuenu Community, Barr Chinedu Nwafor; among others.
Special presentation, cultural dance by the children of the parish, among others, added glamour to the second part of the event.