… Blesses Magnificent Ultramodern 2-Storey Rectory, Others
By Michael Nnebife
The atmosphere at Christ the king Catholic Church, GRA, Awka, was filled with excitement, Sunday, February 1, 2026, as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, inaugurated it as a Parish.
During the solemn ceremony, which attracted the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubisi; the Dean of Awka Deanery I, Rev Fr Simon Peter Obiakor and other religious men and women; Anambra State Government functionaries; community leaders, who included the Traditional Ruler of Ihiagu Uturu Autonomous Community in Isiukwuato LGA, Abia State, Eze Marius Okoroji; Bishop Ezeokafor also blessed a magnificent ultramodern two-storey rectory; Chapel of Perpetual Adoration built in memory of the late Sir Sylvester Obikwelu and his wife, the late Lady Victoria Obikwelu, by their children; and the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary built by the CWO of the Parish.
The Bishop, who was on a maiden pastoral visit to Christ the King Catholic Parish, carved out as an Outstation of St Thomas Aquinas Parish in 2004, and became a quasi-parish in 2023, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 90 candidates.
While delivering a homily during a Holy Mass heralding the epoch-making event, Ezeokafor expressed satisfaction with the pace of development and growth of the Parish.
He thanked the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Roland Victor Okoli, and the entire parishioners, for their services and contributions to the development of the Parish, urging them to continue to move forward.
Reflecting on the readings of the day, the Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese, admonished the Christ the King Church Parishioners to devote their lives to the service of others, especially the poor, for them to enjoy eternal happiness in heaven.
According to him, a life of an individual was meaningful only when it had values to others through selfless service.
Reminding the Parishioners that wealth, power, among other earthly things, could not bring true happiness, Bishop Ezeokafor enjoined them to seek the Lord in humility and righteousness for their salvation and eternal happiness in heaven.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Okoli, thanked the Bishop for creating the Parish and his fatherly love the Parish enjoyed.
Fr Okoli, who informed the Bishop that the magnificent ultramodern two-storey rectory, blessed during the event was a result of collective sacrifices, donations and efforts of the parishioners, assured him that the Parish would continue to move forward.
He appreciated the parishioners and the benefactors of the Parish for their various support and contributions, praying God to reward them.
Okoli, who described the event as a testament of resilience and sacrifice manifesting in different forms in the life of the Parish, also expressed gratitude to the guests, friends and well-wishers of the Parish, for finding out time to come to identify and rejoice with the Parish.
In an address of welcome during a reception, the Parishioners continued to thank Bishop Ezeokafor for his fatherly care and support to the Parish.
The Parishioners, through the address read by the Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council, Barr Donatus Ifenatuora, noted with excitement that the event marked a watershed in the life of their Parish.
‘We stand here, filled with awe and thanksgiving as we witness the birth of our Parish and the official inauguration of the Parish, the blessings of our rectory, the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, a new citadel for God’s glory and beacon of faith in Agu Awka,’ the Parishioners said.
They told Bishop Ezeokafor that the rectory, the grotto and the chapel signified not just buildings, but also renewed commitment to Christ, deeper fellowship and stronger foundation for spreading the Gospel in Agu Awka area.
The Christ the King Church Parishioners expressed belief that the Bishop’s visit would rekindle their spiritual zeal, deepen their love for God, and strengthen their resolve to be true disciples.
They assured him that they would continue to grow in faith, build up the Church and engage in evangelical outreach in the Agu Awka Area.
Presentation of cash and gift items to the Bishop by individual families and organizations, entertainment by the CWO, and special renditions by the choir, all of the Parish, formed the major parts of the reception.
