The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor has said Church dedication simply means consecration of an altar, temple as a special place of Christian worship where religious activities alone will be carried out
The bishop who gave the explanation while dedicating St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ora-Eri Aguata Council Area of the State said dedication of Churches involved the consecration of a tabernacle, its furniture and ornaments of sacrifice and worship.
He said each consecration would be accompanied by the celebration of Holy Eucharistic, a Sermon and some special dedicatory prayers.
According to the him , Bishop leads the dedication ceremony which begins from somewhere outside of the Church building where the Bishop and con-celebrating priests filed in a procession, accompanied by singing and drumming by Altar Dancers.
'The dedication is an elaborate and impressive ceremony which involves the blessing of the various parts of the Church, inside and outside, the furniture, the places, articles and ornaments of worship such as altar, tabernacle, the vestments, instruments for the administration of Sacraments and a host of others.
'There is also the singing of hymns, the psalms and the litany and the ceremony concludes with a Eucharistic sacrifice, 'he Explained.
Bishop Ezeokafor noted that preparation for dedication of a Church involved a lot-extensive renovation or refurbishing (If it is an old Church) or provision of very high quality structure and facilities which includes the floor, the doors and windows, the roof, the pews, the pillars, the altar rail, proper lighting, appropriate conveniences, decorations, Church bell, the altar, tabernacle and even wardrobes where articles of sacrifice are kept.
He further said the articles of worship such as vestments for priests, altar servers, Church wardens, the chalice, ciboria, monstrance, candle stands, altar bells and others must be of very high quality.
Also speaking, the first indigenous priest of Ora-Eri and the Awka Diocesan Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Msgr. Jerome Ndubuisi Madueke said even the surroundings of the Church must be clean, attractive and worthy of the Church that is being dedicated.
According to Msgr. Madueke, the idea was to make the Church and its environs a befitting place of worship.
Meanwhile, it was a celebration of sort at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ora-Eri as the Chief Shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor shortly after dedicating the Church building declared it the newest in the Diocese.
The sumptuous 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. Peter Chudi Akaenyi ; Deputy Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Francis Chidume ; Diocesan Financial Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Francis Oranye among other distinguished personalities.
