…Blesses Newly Constructed Pavilion, Grotto, Tower, 12 Apostles Statues
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu and Jessica Akabueze
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Sunday, 7th September, 2025 dedicated and handed over to God, Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Awgbu, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The dedication of the magnificent structure preceded the concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration.
Carrying out the exercise, Bishop Ezeokafor exhorted parishioners to keep holy the Church building which he described as God’s dwelling place, admonishing them to shun using the Church building for anything other than prayers and worship, stating that nothing more would be entertained inside the Church’s building immediately after the dedication. This was even as he said that before a single scratch would be corrected on the wall of the Church, the Diocese must approve of it.
In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor urged Christians to be mindful of their actions and inactions, noting that he would choose the white man’s God, which is Jesus and his ways of worship over the ones being practiced today by those he described as unguided youths. He stated that they were not even practicing African Traditional Religion but were deeply involved in what he called voodooism, fetishism and spilling of innocent blood.
‘They are not worshipping the gods like our forefathers did. They’re actually into fetish and obnoxious practices. I will choose the white man’s God over and over again. Travel and see that they are all calling Jesus Christ, but here, they are maiming and snuffing lives out of their unsuspecting victims in the name of get-rich-quick syndrome.
It is unfortunate. It’s so terrible. The Catholic Church remains the best, because there is order and ways of doing things. Even a newborn would understand the orderliness in the Catholic Church, especially during consecration, unlike other churches where you won’t know when they start and how they will end their Church’s activities. I have an experience; I attended a church service somewhere. It was when I thought that they were rounding off that they even started. There was no cohesion, organization, and even order,’ he stated.
Appreciating the Bishop, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Parish, Awgbu, and the Dean of Awgbu Deanery, Very Reverend Fr Jonas Unegbu, paid a glowing tribute to the chief shepherd of Catholic Diocese of Awka, his predecessors, public spirited individuals, among others.
Rev Fr Unegbu, who described Bishop Ezeokafor as a Bishop with a difference, noted that he loved the way and manner he was piloting the affairs of the Diocese.
‘Today is our happiest day. You can see that everyone is happy. 30 years after it was created out of the mother parish, which is All Saints Parish, Awgbu, the Dedication of St. Mary’s Parish, Awgbu is a new dawn. We want to thank the Bishop immensely for his fatherly love and care. His humility and administrative prowess. What the Bishop is doing in Awka Diocese can be best described as unprecedented. His Pastoral Administration is worthy of emulation.
‘I want to thank the Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, for always identifying with the Awgbu Catholic Community. He is a proud son of Awgbu. I want to thank also in no small way, the donors. Today, we have a befitting pavilion, tower, apostles statues and grotto, courtesy of these public spirited families from Awgbu,’ he concluded.
Some of the priests in attendance included the Bishop’s Secretary, Rev. Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Diocesan Bursar, Rev. Fr Nicodemus Izuchukwu; Very Rev Fr B. A. C. Obiefuna; Rev Fr Damian Ogwatta; Rev Fr Dr Aloysius Okwuchukwu Ezeanolue (Priest in Residence and Lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka).
Dedication of the church building to God, blessing of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, pavilion, tower, and twelve apostles statues, group photographs with Bishop Ezeokafor, award presentations, dance by the youth, performance from Nneoma Brass Band, Chairman’s opening and closing remarks, vote of thanks by the Committee’s Chairman, presentation of address of welcome signed by the 1st Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council, Sir Ben Anonye; Secretary, Mrs Justina Ezeonye; and the Parish Priest, Very Rev Fr Jonas Unegbu; brief History signed by Mr. Henry Chigbo Ogbuezi; formed the highpoints of the event.
