… As Bishop Ezeokafor Urges Unity and Perseverance among Christians,
Blesses Marian Grotto, Jesus Christ Calvary Cross, Water Fountain Built By Maduakor Family
… Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on 172
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu, Blessing Nebo and Jessica Akubueze Chukwudebe
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has stressed the need for Christians to be dedicated and united with prayers to overcome the hard times, exhorting them not to be the biblical rich fool who thought that life began and ended with uncontrollable accumulation of wealth, material things.
The Catholic Prelate stressed the importance of faith in a Christian’s life, exhorting them to always be patient with God, and reminded them that He remained a faithful God.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who was visibly not happy over the economic situation in the country, urged Christian not to derail from their faith but consistently work hard, in addition to fervent prayers, in order to overcome their challenges. He charged Christians to slow down on their mad rush for earthly acquisition and mundane things.
Bishop Ezeokafor made the call at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ugwuoba, Orji River LGA, Enugu State, Sunday August 10, during a pastoral visit cum celebration of 10 years anniversary of the creation of the parish.
He urged Christians not to lose faith in God but to continuously seek him in all honesty to receive everlasting blessings.
The Bishop also used the occasion to bless Maria grotto, Calvary cross and fountain pot built and donated to the church by parishioners, Mr and Mrs John Maduakor, just as he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 172 parishioners.
He also reassured Christians that God had good plans for His people and would never forget to bless those who diligently served Him in truth and honesty.
The prelate however bemoaned the rise in neo-paganism, attributing it to get-rich-quick syndrome and failed parenting, and urged parents to brace up to the challenge by inculcating moral values and godly virtues into their children in their teenage period.
On St. Paul’s Parish, Bishop Ezeokafor commended parishioners for sustaining the light of evangelism lighted since creation of the parish in 2015, urging them to be steadfast and fervently seek Him for more spiritual growth, personal and communal development.
He charged the newly consecrated to be committed to the things of God through participation in church activities, observance of the Catholic doctrines and receiving of Holy Communion so as not to be carried away by the world.
Speaking in an interview, the host and Parish Priest, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Innocent Chukwunonso Okeke, thanked the Bishop for visiting to bless and commune with them, which, according to him, uplifted their faith in God and would empower them to remain faithful in Christ.
Okeke also called on Christendom to remain focused on whatever they did, stating that commitment to service, diligence, sincerity, and perseverance paid more than idleness and deception.
The occasion attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including indigenous priests; religious; the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi; the Diocesan Bursar, Rev. Fr. Nicodemus Izuchukwu; Bishop’s MC, Rev. Fr. Patrick’s Nweke, among others.
Bishop Ezeokafor who spoke on a wide range of issues, ranging from idol worshipping, burial law, to Peter University, warned that outgone executives in the parishes should not be signing cheques for their associations again, describing it as an aberration
The Local Ordinary was adequately received and entertained by the priests, religious and parishioners of St. Paul’s Parish, Ugwuoba, led by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Innocent Chukwunonso Okeke, and the Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Levi Ndubuisi Ukor.
The pastoral visit attracted some indigenous priests, reverend sisters, members, friends, and well wishes of the Church, and was heralded by dancing and merriment at the end.