The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor has blessed and re-dedicated the St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Parish, Awka to God, with a call on Christians to exhibit transparency in all they do even as he charged them to build themselves spiritually as much as they build places of worship for God.Bishop Ezeokafor while blessing the old Cathedral enrolled over 150 children into the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) and exhorted parents and guardians to train up their wards in the fear of God saying that any child trained in God’s way would not only be useful to himself and their family but would also be useful to the Church and society at large.
In his homily, the bishop who dwelt his message on the parable of owner of vineyard taken from the Holy Book of Isaiah, charged Christians not to be like the biblical grapevines, which went sour after the owner had spent so much on it.
He said as Christian they should always be mindful of how they go about their activities and shun act capable of turning them away from God noting that the Church’s stand was for all to make heaven at last.
The Catholic Prelate, who incidentally the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral Parish expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for them to have a new look Church to all those who worked for the actualization of the project.
The epoch-making event which started with Con-celebrated Eucharistic Holy Mass had in attendance people from all walks of life notable among whom were the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Chudi Akaenyi; Bishop’s Secretary, Very. Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence Nwankwo; the Cathedral administrator, Rev. Fr. Patrick Amobi Chukwuma; Rev. Fr. Austine Okoye (Cathedral administrator II); Msgr. J. P. C. Nzomiwu; Msgr. Jerome Ndubuisi Madueke (Director Fides Communications Okpuno, Awka South L.G.A.) and religious.
Others were the Traditional Ruler of Awka Igwe Gibson Nwosu; the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Sir Victor Umeh, OFR; former Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Anayo Nnebe (Ichele-Awka) among other distinguished personalities.
Earlier in a remark, the Cathedral administrator, Rev. Fr. Patrick Amobi Chukwuma thanked God for his grace and the Bishop for his fatherly love and care. He further thanked all those who contributed in no small measure to the renovation of the magnificent edifice.
High point of the occasion was enrolment of over 150 children into the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), homage to the bishop as well as donation.
Mbido Igbo Association Honours Ezeemo with Agboma Ndi Award