By Emeka Odogwu
In Igbo Tradition and Culture, only families of the deceased are authorized to announce the death of their beloved ones, thus, the Archdeacon, CHS Awka Archdeaconry, Ven. Dr. Onyeka Egwuonwu, has advised social media users to stop announcing people’s death, if their families have not done so.
Ven. Dr. Egwuonwu who stated this in a sermon at the Church of The Holy Spirit, Awka, reiterated that it was against all customs and tradition of Igbo race to announce other people’s death outside their family. This, he said, may be obtainable in other cultures and traditions, but not in Igbo Land.
He said social media users could escalate the information from the families of the deceased, rather than being the first to announce people’s death, no matter the circumstances surrounding their death.
He maintained that there was a bigger difference between hearsay and being sure of any information being shared, warning members of his congregation to shun posting on the basis of social media hearsay but what they were sure of.
Ven. Dr. Egwuonwu who is also the Vicar Church of The Holy Spirit, Awka, also warned Christians against listening to false doctrines and teachings capable of abusing their minds about God’s omnipotence and omnipresence status. He equally preached against men of God availing their pulpits to others unknown to them as their altars may be used to brainwash their congregation.
He buttressed: ‘For me, I must know you before I allow you to use my pulpit to send a message to the congregation. And for the worshippers, if you don’t have the capacity and capability of withstanding some of the vague preaching and distortions of the Bible, don’t go anywhere you are not sure of, for the sermon.’
He insisted that God’s blessings could be delayed but it did not mean denial because, according to him, there were special delays. He informed the congregation that during the time of the High Priests, God relayed messages through them but now God spoke to individuals Himself.
Ven. Dr. Egwuonwu called on Christians to jettison proud lifestyles, noting that pride preceded fall. He said that a proud person could not serve God as it was difficult for the person to follow Jesus Christ’s steps.
He further called for support to inmates at Correctional Centers across the country at a time like this and commended the prison evangelist coordinators of the CHS Awka, Lay Reader Kingsley Ogunta and Lay Reader Maazi OC Akutaekwe, for what he described as their outstanding contributions to the service of God and humanity.
He encouraged men to be careful on their attitudes to their wives when pregnant as any senseless action might affect the unborn child, advocating that men should always show love and understanding to their wives, while women showed respect and humility to their husbands.
He said that husbands should agree with their wives on issues in the family like naming the child, among others, for it to be marriage.
He expressed worry that some men of God anointed themselves rather than God anointing them, thus they focused the message on themselves as men of God, rather than on Jesus Christ.
He charged men to live up to their expectations in both their families and society.
On the theme of the sermon: “John’s example as herald of His coming”, Ven. Dr Egwuonwu said John played a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ’s Ministry. He tasked Christians to emulate John’s humility, obedience and surrendering to God’s will, describing how palpable John’s Ministry served as a forerunner, and his decreasing so that Jesus Christ would increase, unlike what, he said, obtained today.