Awka Region Holds Cathedraticum In Joyful Expectation Of The Easter Celebration
By Michael Ezenwata
Over Twenty thousand Catholic faithful in the Awka Region,Awka Catholic Diocese participated in this year's Cathedraticum/Chrism mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev.Dr.Paulinus Ezeokafor at the St.Patrick's Cathedral Awka.
In a homily at the occasion, Bishop Ezeokafor leveraged on the theme of the Lenten Pastoral message for the year"Never Lose Hope' akin to Pope Francis theme"Jubilee Year Of Hope' to urge christians to face the challenges of life with hope in God.
The prelate raised alarm on the rot in the families occasioned by the negligence of some parents on parental upbringing.
He urged parents to start early enough to bring up their children in the fear of God and a sense of commitment to imbibe proper societal values to equip them with the necessary exposure and empathy to look after their parents at old age.
He decried the upsurge in neo- paganism and patronage of fake pastors and native doctors among youths as failure of parents to impact positively on their children.
Bishop Ezeokafor thanked Governor Soludo for fighting the vices through his security strategy and urged him to extend the crusade to expose some fake pastors and priests deceiving the masses. He described the governor's security measures as some of the best things that have happened to the state.
Bishop Ezeokafor passed a vote of confidence on the governor for addressing all sectors of the economy and urged the electorate to secure their voters cards and use it wisely during the forthcoming November 8th governorship election in the state.
The Bishop further announced the process of beatification and canonization of the late Rev.Fr.Aaron Ekwu who was trained in Austria and urged the Catholic faithful to report miracles performed in memory of Father Ekwu at institutions such as St.Mattew's Catholic Church, Amawbia,St.Andrew's Catholic Church, Adazi Nnukwu,St.Mary's Catholic Church, Orsumoghu etc
He also announced plans to establish an old People's/ Orphanage home in Awka Diocese to help the people concerned.
On the existence of the Catholic knighthood of St.Michael the Archangel in Awka Diocese, Bishop Ezeokafor announced that the catholic order has come to stay and has received the imprimatur of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. According to him,the dust raised concerning its legitimacy has been put to rest.
The prelate maintained that all the catholic order of knights in Awka Diocese are his children and can never be denied of their rights.
On the moves by some Umuzocha people to forcefully claim ownership of a portion of the Cathedral Parish,Bishop Ezeokafor confirmed that the Umuzocha community donated the parish land to the Catholic Church so many years back and was handed over to him from his predecessors in office, late Archbishop Albert Obiefuna and late Bishop Simon Okafor.
According to him, the church which fenced the area of land donated to it has not added an inch to what was given to it, and will not therefore concede any of its territory to any intruder.
He made the public pronouncement, expecting the catholic faithful to pray for the church and for the state government to intervene in the matter.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo who was represented at the occasion by his Commissioner for Health Dr.Afam Obidike promised that government will look into the land matter and other matters raised by the Bishop and called for the support of the church for the performing governor of the state who has improved the health care delivery system in the state, security situation, etc.
A former Chairman of Njikoka LGA, High Chief George Ozor also appreciated Governor Soludo for his good governance and urged him not to rest on his oars.
High Chief Ozor used the period of the Holy week to urge leaders in Nigeria to emulate Jesus Christ in their style of leadership. He further commiserated with the Igbo race on the demise of Prof.Humphery Nwosu and the legendary footballer Christian Chukwu who exhibited professionalism in their service to the nation.
The President Life member of Awka Deanery One, Dr.Tochi Onalike expects Christians to utilize the period of the Holy week to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ. Dr.Onalike described this year's Cathedraticum as eventful and announced that the association donated four cows to the diocese.
On his part, the Chairman, Catholic Men Organization, St.Paul's Parish, Awba Ofemili, Brother George Agunwa felicitated with Bishop Ezeokafor on this year's Cathedraticum and announced the parish donation of five cows to the diocese. He announced that the parish will host the Bishop on the 18th of May this year for his pastoral visit.
He further commended Governor Soludo for the rehabilitation of the Amansea - Awba Ofemili Road which remains a pride to benefitting communities.
In their separate remarks,a member of the Catholic Knight of St.Michael the Archangel in Awka Diocese, Sir Victor Okoli called on leaders in Nigeria to be exemplary in the discharge of their duties while the President, Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Catholic Diocese, Sir Joseph Igwebuike showered his good wishes to the Laity throughout the Holy week and beyond.
Highpoints on the occasion were the Cathedraticum and the blessing of the oils of the sick,cathecumen and Chrism by the Bishop.
* Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
More photos below.
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