Installation of Officers and Admission of Pioneer Members
…Church, Propelled by Various Charisms of Members – Bishop Ezeokafor
By Fr Constantine Echichechi Okoli
The members of the Catholic Order of the Knights of St. Michael the Archangel, CKSMA, has held a 4–day programme spanning from 22 to 25 May, 2024 at Archbishop A. K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference, Okpuno.
The programme included a retreat, installation of officers and admission of pioneer members.
It was a historic event, being the first time the Catholic order was gathering since it was given canonical permission to operate in the Diocese of Awka, as a private association of Christian faithful on 9th May 2024. Over eighty pioneer members were admitted into the Order on the final day.
While delivering his homily at the Good Shepherd Chapel of Archbishop A. K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Centre, Okpuno, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka and their Mentor, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, observed that the Knights of St. Michael the Archangel had a firm foundation on Christian prayers and family. The Bishop lauded and thanked them for working with the promptings of the Holy Spirit and urged them to always be like what they professed.
The prelate further encouraged them to make a positive difference, since other Catholic Orders were watching to know and see how convinced they were in their new association.
Fides gathered that CKSMA is a devotional, paramilitary & family apostolate knighthood whose headquarters is located at the General House of the Michaelites in Marki, Warsaw, Poland, with Rev Fr Peter Prusakiewic, as her General Animator. The pioneers of this Order were, exclusively, Reverend Fathers.
However, with time, high spirited laity were permitted to join the Order and even much later permitted to form and organize their own exclusive Order with Chaplains appointed by Local Ordinaries to represent them.
Speaking at the end of the Mass, Sir James Ogochukwu Ezeonu, the Supreme Secretary of the Order, thanked the Bishop for his support and for permitting their operation in the diocese.
He thanked him also for giving them a unique priest, Rev. Fr. Martin Anusi, as their coordinator, even as he pledged their commitment to serve the Church through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel.
On another note, the Founder/Supreme President Emeritus of the Order, Sir Dr. Amb. Dan Anaebo Okekenta, while calling and introducing other officials of the Order, assured the bishop and all present that they would not disappoint the Church for entrusting them with what he described as the onerous task of defending the faith at a critical moment of the Church’s life.
The members of the Supreme Council of the Knights of CKSMA are: Sir Felix Kolawe Olowu (Supreme President); Sir James Ogochukwu Ezeonu (Supreme Secretary); Prof Silvester Ekah (Supreme 1st Vice President); Prof Edet Ekpenyong (Supreme Inspector General); Prof Jiff Mokobia (Supreme Treasurer); Sir Peter Ifeanyi Anaebo (Supreme Financial Secretary); Sir Chris Omambala (Supreme 2nd Vice President); Sir Solomon Ekwunife (1st Trustee); Sir Ferdinand Anugwom (2nd Trustee); Sir D.A.D. Igboin and Femi Dosu.
The members of Supreme Council of Ladies of CKSMA are: Lady Comfort Anaebo Okekenta (Founder/ Supreme President Emerita); Lady Florence Ngozi Ngonadi (President); Lady Agatha Ikposhi (1st Vice President); Lady Theresa Ekwunife (2nd Vice President); Lady Vera Ezeonu (Supreme Secretary); Lady Elizabeth Jiff Mokobia (Treasurer)
Principal Officers of CKSMA St. Patrick’s Local Council, 001 Awka are: Sir J. Ogo Ezeonu (President); Sir Peter Ifeanyi Anaebo (First Vice President); Sir Macjude Anatuanya (Second Vice president); Sir Professor Charles Egolum (Secretary); Sir Victor Anayochukwu Okoli (Exchequer); Sir Ubaldus Nnemelu (Treasurer); Sir Victor Nwankwo, Ofia Nawfia, (Chairman board of trustees); Sir Barrister Fabian Agudosi (Second trustee); Sir professor kelvin Okolie (Third trustee); Sir Brandel Amaegwu (Fourth trustee).
The 4-day event also featured a Retreat, Spiritual Talks, Oath of Allegiance by the Founders of the Order, Installation of Supreme Council Officers, Admission of Pioneer Members of the Order and Pontifical High Mass which was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese and their Mentor, His Excellency, Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor.
