By Michael Nnebife and Emmanuel Chigozie
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, has commissioned a magnificent modern one-storey rectory, at St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Adazi-Enu in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, for solid evangelism in the community.
While performing the commissioning rites, the Catholic Bishop prayed God to make the edifice a dwelling place where priests and other workers in His vineyard would be taking a solid rest after day’s work.
The Bishop who was on an episcopal visit to the Church, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 150 candidates of the Church.
While speaking in a homily during a Holy Mass concluding the epoch-making event, Bishop Ezeokafor reminded the St Dominic parishioners of the need to imbibe the virtue of forgiveness, so as to make heaven at last.
Ezeokafor warned those living with wrongs done to them, for God to judge after life here on earth, to desist from the perspective as one harbouring wrong done to them could never meet God in heaven.
According to him, heaven was not a court for settling cases between individuals, but a place where those that lived their earthly lives in accordance with God’s commandments, met and continued in worshipping Him.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who spoke among other things, admonished St Dominic Parishioners to strive to accept Holy Spirit in their lives and live a life of obedience to God’s commandments to make heaven.
While urging them to cooperate with their priests in the overall interest of their church, the Prelate expressed satisfaction with the infrastructural development of the church.
He thanked the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Evaristus Ezekwonna; the Vicar, Rev Fr Clement Igwegbe; and the entire parishioners, for their respective contributions and their support to Awka Diocese.
Responding, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Ezekwonna, who was overwhelmed with joy, expressed gratitude to the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese for his fatherly disposition towards the parish.
Amid a thunderous applause from the congregation, Ezekwonna described the event as a perfect reconciliatory meeting between Awka Diocese and St Dominic’s Parishioners, thanking Ezeokafor for forgiving the parishioners and restoring peace between them and the Diocese.
Speaking with Fides, Ezekwonna enjoined the parishioners to be obedient and accept change for the progress of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the area, expressing happiness that a father-children relationship between the Diocese and the Parish had been restored.
He thanked the guests for identifying with the Parish despite their tight schedules.
In an address of welcome read on behalf of the Parish by the Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council, Comrade Vincent Muojeke, during a reception, the parishioners appreciated Bishop Ezeokafor for his fatherly love for them and for the numerous work he was doing in Awka Diocese, praying for long life with sound health, among others, for the Bishop.
The event, which took place on Saturday, 17th May, 2025, was graced by numerous religious men and women, who included the Chancellor of Awka Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Deans, Neni and Awgbu Deaneries, Rev Fr Henry Ezeobi and Rev Fr Jonas Unegbu, respectively; the Noble Knights and the Ladies of the Church; community leaders in Adazi-Enu, who included its President General, Chief Sir Emmanuel Chigozie Ejidike, among others.
Cultural dances by the altar boys of St Dominic; Ifeabatago Virgin Most Pure, Akwankwo Village, Adazi-Enu, among others, added glamour to the event, chaired by Mr Anthony Obiora.