… Warns against Abuse of God’s Dwelling Place
….Deserving Individuals Honoured
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu and R. A. Yakubu (wise)
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Sunday 21 December 2025, re-dedicated St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana’s Church building 36 years after it was dedicated by then Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Albert K. Obiefuna.
Carrying out his pastoral function and re-dedication exercise, Bishop Ezeokafor stressed the importance of keeping God’s dwelling place holy and clean, exhorting them to steer clear of God’s dwelling place and avoid carrying out things unrelated to worship and holy activities.
‘Today, I rededicated St. Mark’s Abagana to God, leading God’s people to renewal of faith and a new chapter in the parish’s spiritual life. Church buildings are meant to foster active participation and reverence in worship; and if a church is substantially rebuilt, it has to be dedicated again.
‘I thank all those who worked tirelessly to see that this church regained its beauty and splendour. Many hands were on deck to see that everything worked out well. I thank them, especially the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Hilary Ben-Ezenwa, who is also the Judicial Vicar of the Diocese.
Thus, we pray: here, may the poor find mercy, the oppressed find freedom, and all people be clothed with the dignity of your children, until they come to the joy of the heavenly Jerusalem, Amen!’ Bishop Ezeokafor concluded.
Appreciating the Bishop, the Parish Priest of St. Mark’s Parish, Abagana, and the Dean Abagana Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Hilary O. Ben-Ezenwa, expressed thanks to God for His grace and mercies and also for the gift of Bishop Ezeokafor.
The brief History of the Catholic Church in Abagana, compiled by Chief B. N. Ezejiegu, KSM, and edited by the Parish Priest, read, ‘The currently remodelled and reconstructed Parish Church of St. Mark’s cannot be talked about without going down memory lane to pay a glowing tribute to some active agents.
‘Chief Sir Joseph Nwankwu of blessed memory and a few others like him who made the original Church edifice possible, truly taught the world that one or two persons could take up a big project and complete it with little or no assistance from others.
‘The Church which they sacrificed a lot to build and then dedicated in the late eighties was one in town for a long time. But close to four decades afterwards, it naturally lost its original glory and architectural delight, necessitating a remodeling and reconstruction. That task of remodelling and reconstruction embarked upon from November 23, 2023 through the bold step taken by the current Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hilary Ben-Ezenwa, has today come to a successful completion.’
The Priest-in-Residence 1 and the former Deputy Director II of Fides Media, Reverend Father Cyril Ezeani; the Priest-in-Residence 2 and the Manager, Stellamaris Girls’ College, Abagana, Rev. Fr. Charles C. Udegbe; the Deputy Majority Leader and the Member representing Njikoka II State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Jude Akpua (Omekannia); the Mayor of Njikoka, Hon. Barr. Chinedu Ononiba; His Regency, Chief Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwanze (Onowu Abagana); the President General, Abagana Welfare Union Worldwide, Sir Linus Okafor Okunwa (Ezekwesili); the Chairman of the Occasion, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi Mni Rtd (Dikeora Njikoka); the Father of the Day, High Chief Professor Sir Emmanuel Onwubuya (Ijelenze, Ozo Ifelumma N’Abagana); the Lady of the Day, Lady Eunice Aniagor; the 1st Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council, Sir Hon. CY Aniagor, KSJI; the 2nd Vice Chairman of PPC, Engr. Emmanuel Onwubuya and the Secretary PPC, Lady Stella Ezepue, LSM; the Chairman, Re-dedication Planning Committee, Engr. Chinedu Onyekwelu; the Secretary, Re-dedication Planning Committee, Lady Stella O. Ogbunigwe; individually thanked the Bishop for carrying out what they described as an all-important exercise
Blessing, re-dedication of St. Mark’s Parish Abagana’s Church Building, planting of Re-dedication tree, awards presentation to distinguished personalities, formed the highpoints of the event.
