By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
The atmosphere at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish, Awka, 6th October 2024, was electric as the priests, parishioners, including, friends and well-wishers of the parish, trooped out en masse to receive the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, who was on a pastoral visit.
The parish used the opportunity of the historic event to recognize exemplary services of some individuals to God in the Parish and celebrate the Feast of her Patron Saint, Francis of Assisi.
The tripartite event began with a Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Ezeokafor, who centred his homily on marriage, following the readings of the day in all Catholic churches world over.
The Bishop reminded the joy-filled congregation of a divine direction on marriage, which he described as a vocation through which married couples could also work out their personal salvation.
While noting that marriage must be between a man and a woman, the Prelate condemned same-sex marriage in its entirety, stressing its flaws not only religiously, but also naturally and scientifically.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese admonished married couples to maintain mutual love and symbiotic relationship, which, he said, were the major responsibility in marriage.
He also emphasized the need for parents to ensure that the children had the fear of God and basic foundation, as well as training, that would enable them to depend on themselves when grown up.
Bishop Ezeokafor congratulated 101 candidates who were confirmed during the event, urging them to ensure that their lives as confirmed Catholics would be a witness for Christ.
He commended the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Anthony Udogu, and the entire parishioners, for the pace of development in the parish and encouraged them to do more.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Udogu, expressed gratitude to the Bishop for his fatherly care and concern the Parish enjoyed.
Fr Udogu pledged that the Parish would put further efforts, especially as it concerned her church dedication, to ensure that all the development projects ongoing in the parish were completed soon.
He also thanked the dignitaries that graced the event, the organizing committee, the sponsors, and the entire parishioners.
In an interview with Fides, Fr Udogu expressed joy and appreciation to God for making the event a huge success, saying that he was happy that everything went well.
‘Everybody is happy; our Bishop is comfortable with us. So, we thank God for everything,’ Fr Udogu said.
In an address of welcome during a reception that followed shortly after the Mass, the parish also thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for what he described as his numerous work and achievements, particularly the commencement of academic activities at Peter University, Achina/Onneh.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the event, Sir Emeka Offomata, described the event as a blessing to married couples in the parish and thanked Bishop Ezeokafor, attributing the development projects in the parish to the Bishop’s fatherly love and care the parish enjoyed.
Speaking with Fides, some of the award recipients, who included Sir Chris Nwanna and Hon Ikechukwu Chinweze, described the awards as encouraging and thanked the Parish Priest and the parishioners, promising not only to continue their exemplary services that earned them the awards, but also to do more for the progress of the Gospel of Christ in the area.
In a vote of thanks, the Second Vice Chairman of the parish’s Pastoral Council, Dr Chris Okpala, continued to appreciate Bishop Ezeokafor for the visit, which he described as a favour done to the parish and asked the Prelate to extend the tenure of the Parish Priest so that he would have time to complete the good work he had started in the parish.
The dignitaries that graced the epoch-making event included the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Bishop’s Secretary, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Rector, JohnBosco Seminary, Isuanaocha, Rev Fr Daniel Eduzor; Rev Fr Anthony Igboamalu; the Director, Fides Media, Rev Fr Robert Anagboso; and other Awka Diocesan officials and priests; the Traditional Ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, who also received an award during the event; his wife, Nora Nwosu; his cabinet members; the Awka Diocesan CMO President, Comrade Joseph Onuegbu; among others.
