…Adopts Central School Okpeze, Administers Sacrament of Confirmation, Blesses Chapel and Grotto
In what can best be described as providential, the presence of the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, in Okpeze after 11 years of pastoral visit, has attracted both temporal and spiritual benefits to the Okpeze Community, Constantine Echichechi Okoli reports.
The Catholic community, friends, and well-wishers of St. Pius X, Okpeze in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, trooped out en masse on Sunday, 27th September, to receive Bishop Ezeokafor, who was in the parish for a pastoral visit.
The joyous occasion, which was heralded by an interactive session between the bishop and some members of the parish, on Saturday, 26th September, 2026, also featured the blessing of the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, built and donated to the Church by Pharm. and Mrs. Alphonsus Mmuogbo, and the Grotto of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, built and donated to the Church by Mr. and Mrs. Modestus Mmuogbo.
While recounting his long-standing relationship with the parish, dating back to his days as a senior seminarian in 1980, the Bishop commended the parishioners for the growth the parish had witnessed since his last pastoral visit in 2015. Speaking at the event, the Bishop acknowledged that the development and growth recorded in the parish showed that whenever human beings worked hard and took responsibility, they improved the lives of those around them.
The Bishop observed that, although all fingers were not equal, just as parishes were not expected to compete unhealthily with one another, every member of the Church had something unique to offer for the growth of the Church.
Meanwhile, while thanking the families that donated the chapel and grotto to the Church, the Bishop charged other members of the community to contribute to the building of the Church and society.
Also, the Bishop expressed joy that the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Vincent Nwajagu, was doing his best to move the parish forward and urged the parishioners to continue supporting him, noting that they were already doing so.
‘When a priest comes to a parish, the parishioners must not waste time in seeing the direction he is going and support him forthwith,’ the Bishop explained. He noted that over the years, Okpeze had always shown itself as a very hospitable and faith-driven community. The Bishop seized the opportunity to call on the young people and others who are becoming lukewarm to come back to the faith that shaped their community, Catholic Church. He encouraged them to distance themselves from idol worshiping and neo-paganism.
‘There is no life and peace in worshipping man-made things,’ Bishop Ezeokafor stated.
In their address of welcome presented to the Bishop through the Secretary of the Pastoral Visit Committee, Sir Anthony Ikebuasi, the parishioners, among other things, requested the Bishop to facilitate efforts to ensure that their children, especially those from poor families, could afford to attend the primary school and that qualified teachers were employed. They said they needed help for their children in that regard.
Similarly, in their expressive notes of appreciation, both the Chairman of the occasion, Pharm. Alphonsus Mmuogbo, and Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council, Dr. G.U. Nweke, thanked the Bishop for what they described as his obvious attention to the parish and for the great love he had shown them on the occasion and over the years. They called on the Bishop to assist them, particularly in the area of resuscitating their primary school, Central School, Okpeze.
In response to their request, the Bishop explained that the days of his humble and providential beginnings were at St. Pius X, Okpeze, and that he would always like to assist the community by whatever means he could. He said he would not want any child in the community to be denied access to basic education on account of poverty or inadequate teaching.
‘I am adopting Central School, Okpeze, and I will see to it that no pupil in the school is denied basic education,’ the Bishop said, adding that the details of how to achieve this would be worked out with the Parish Priest and other persons who had contributed to the growth of the school.
Present at the event were the Assistant Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Peter Sixtus Aguinam; the Dean of Awgbu Deanery, Rev. Fr. Ceprian Chikezie as well as many other priests, religious men and women; the APGA Candidate for the 2027 General Elections for the Federal House of Representatives for Orumba North and South Constituency, Dr. Odiraa Nwankwo, represented by his Campaign Director General, Hon. Chris Amah; the Orumba North APC Chairman, Hon. Okoli Emeka; and many others.
While speaking with Fides, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Vincent Nwajagu, affirmed that the Bishop had always been paternal to the parish, recounting the quantum of support he had shown them.
‘The Bishop’s visit today to this parish will remain indelible in our hearts,’ Fr. Nwajagu concluded.
Other highlights of the occasion were: the confirmation of more than eighty faithful, sponsored by Chief and Mrs. Aaron Nnagbo; warm reception and presentation of gifts to the Bishop by different individuals and groups; dance display by members of the Altar Servers; and group photographs with different statutory bodies.
