By Michael Nnebife
St Francis’ Catholic Church, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, was agog as the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, paid an episcopal visit to the Church after seven years of last visit.
The historic event started on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with interactions between the Bishop and the stakeholders of the Parish on both spiritual and soci-ocultural issues of importance concerning the parishioners and came to an end on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with a Pontifical Mass in which the Bishop administered Sacrament of Confirmation to 196 candidates, and a grand reception to support the Bishop.
In their address of welcome read by the Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council of the Church, Lady Dr Nonye Oguejifor, during the reception, St Francis Enugwu-Ukwu parishioners reeled out the landmark achievements they had recorded under their Parish Priest, Rev Fr Peter Val Uzoezie.
The Secretary, Parish Pastoral Council of the Church, Lady Dr Nonye Oguejifor, who read the address, said the achievements were spiritual and physical.
Lady Oguejifor outlined the spiritual development in the Church to include introduction of monthly Baptism, monthly visitation to the sick, celebration of Mass in all outstations, introduction of Children’s Mass, charity to the needy; among others.
She gave the visible aspects of the development as renovation of church and Father’s House, making them stand the test of time; and a befitting place for the worship of God.
’Our school is not left out in these. Fr Uzoezie has totally transformed the school to be at par with its contemporaries globally.
’He has installed modern teaching equipment, which is called smart TV in the school, and provided computers in all the classes they are required.
’Fr Uzoezie has constructed a standard playground for the physical well-being of our students.
’He recruited qualified and competent teachers to the extent that there is no school in Njikoka Local Government Area that can be compared with our school now,’ Lady Oguejifor emphasized.
’Another remarkable thing about our school now is scholarship,’ she added, saying that over 170 students were currently on free education in the school.
The PPC Secretary further maintained that Fr Uzoezie had ensured that every zone in the Church had a bank account, and every project its own bank account for financial transparency and accountability.
She praised Fr Uzoezie, describing him as a compassionate priest par excellence who turned himself a beggar for the downtrodden around him, to eat and be happy.
The Secretary also commended the working relationship between Fr Uzoezie and his Vicar, Rev Fr Paschal Omaga, whom she also described as work in itself and an intelligent young priest whose wisdom was above his age.
According to her, the relationship between the two Catholic cleric was like that of a good elder and younger brother who lived together.
‘We appreciate you our Lord Bishop, for the exceptional good priests you have been posting to our Church since its inception,’ the Secretary told Bishop Ezeokafor.
She also thanked him for his love and kindness to St Francis parishioners, noting that after his last pastoral visit, he had been constantly visiting them for different ceremonies.
The PPC Secretary however appealed to the Bishop to come again, latest in three or four years time, for pastoral visit.
Responding, the Prelate thanked St Francis parishioners for their support to Awka Diocese, as well as effort to the development of their Church.
Earlier, Bishop Ezeokafor admonished them to use their possessions to help the needy around them for more blessings of God.
The Bishop, who was delivering a homily during the Mass to conclde the pastoral visit, emphasized the importance of giving, in the life of every Christian.
He recounted the story of Jesus Christ’s feeding of 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, and that of Prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephat, noting that cheerful giving, multipled the possessions of a giver.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese further urged St Francis’ parishioners, to be contented with their possessions and hope on God for more blessings.
Briefing them on the highlights of his interactions with their stakeholders, Bishop Ezeokafor, who spoke among other issues, advised St Francis’ parishioners to comply with the Anambra State Burial Law and the Burial Regulations of the Diocese for the good of the common people.
He expressed gratitude to their Parish Priest, Fr Uzozie and the Vicar, Fr Omaga, for their services.
In his remarks, Fr Uzoezie, who gave all the praises to God for His blessings upon St Francis’ Church, also thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his visit and care for the parish.
Fr Uzoezie, who described St Francis’ Church as a unique parish in Enugwu-Ukwu, while having a chat with Fides, appreciated all the guests, for coming to rejoice with the St Francis’ parishioners.
The Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubisi; the Education Secretary of the Diocese, Rev Fr Maximus Okonkwo; the Dean, Enugwu-Ukwu Deanery and Chief Chaplain, Catholic Women’s Organization of the Diocese, Rev Fr Evaristus Okafor; the Director, Holy Family Spiritual Year Seminary, Okpuno, Rev Fr Paul Mary Chukwukebe; the Bursar of the Diocese, Rev Fr Nicodemus Izuchukwu; and a former lawmaker that represented Anaocha Dunukofia Njikoka Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dr Dozie Nwankwo, represented by his Aide, Hon Martin Dike, were among the dignitaries that graced the event chaired by an illustrious son of Enugwu-Ukwu Community, Sir Charles Omalu.
