By Emeka Odogwu
Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, has declared that knighthood in the Church is not a pursuit of prestige or title, but a solemn call to trust, discipline and sacrificial service for the church.
The Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, made the declaration Sunday, January 4, 2025 at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha, as the diocese admitted 85 faithful into the Order of Knights of St Christopher.
In his 25 minutes homily during the Investiture Church Service, Bishop Nwokolo stressed that the true sustenance of knighthood did not lie in public applause or ceremonial honour, but in deep spiritual discipline, constant exercise of faith and sustained encounters with God.
He warned the newly admitted knights that the battles confronting them would not be physical, but spiritual, apparently centring on morality, integrity and righteousness, urging them to put on “the whole armour of God” as soldiers enlisted in spiritual warfare. While describing the knights as “three-star generals in the Lord’s army,” the bishop cautioned against misusing the honour of knighthood to undermine the Church or her leadership.
“Knights are not called to fight the Church,” he said, warning against turning swords against the clergy, the Mothers’ Union or the choir.
Bishop Nwokolo rather charged them to identify and confront the real enemies of God, foremost among which he said were sin, falsehood and injustice.
He lamented the prevalence of injustice in Igboland, citing the suffering of widows, the dispossession of the weak and the forceful seizure of land by the wealthy, urging the knights to stand as defenders of truth, equity and human dignity in their communities.
Emphasising integrity as the hallmark of knighthood, the bishop declared that a knight’s word ought to be his bond.
“Men of knighthood are men of truth,” he said, calling on them to live out their faith with courage and consistency.
Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of swords and scrolls to the candidates by the bishop, as well as the taking of oaths and pledges.
The newly admitted knights publicly affirmed that they were not members of secret cults and pledged to be living examples of faith in Christ.
The last investiture by the diocese was on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 when the diocese admitted over 70 couples into the order charging them to committedly serve God with their whole beings, talents and resources.
