BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has congratulated the newly consecrated auxiliary bishop of archdiocese of Onitsha ecclesiastical province, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh who was consecrated by Francis Cardinal Arinze as auxiliary bishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha on Friday, May 1, 2015.
Bishop Ezeokafor who gave his congratulatory message at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha shortly after the consecration expressed gratitude to God for the gift of Bishop Isizoh noting that with Bishop Isizoh's wealth of experience and laudable achievements in pastoral works the Archdiocese can only get better.
He urged him to see his consecration as a special call and to live above board and also build bridges between the clergy and the laity and other denominations within and outside his jurisdiction.
His word, 'Well, you can see I am physically presence here to rejoice, I am very happy that Archbishop Valerian has now someone to assist him.
Onitsha Archdiocese is really quite massive with large population, the clergy and the laity. It requires more hands to work. I call on the bishop to bring all the rich experience in Rome back home and build a new Nigeria devoid of hatred, ethnic and political antagonism of people in your jurisdiction,' Bishop Ezeokafor said.
In a Homily shortly before the consecration, the president of Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria (CBCN ) Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama charged the new Bishop Isizoh to transform society through his episcopacy.
He disclosed that the process that brought the appointment of Isizoh as a bishop was transparent, adding that there was wide consultations prior to the selection that produced him.
The prelate further condemned what he described as prophetic marketing in Nigeria stating that those into such sharp practices should retrace their steps.
Archbishop Kaigama also disclosed that with the consecration of Bishop Isizoh the number of Catholic bishops in Nigeria has increased from the former number to 73.
Congratulating the bishop the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Augustine Kasujja asserted that with his consecration the faith in the Archdiocese would grow from strength to strength.
The event witnessed a large turnout of dignitaries including Francis Cardinal Arinze, Papal Nuncio to Nigeria His Excellency Most Rev Augustine kasujja, Governor Willie Obiano; Chief Peter Obi;Chief Victor Umeh among others.
Bishop Denis Isizoh hails from Ogbunike Oyi Council Area of Anambra state. He was ordained a Catholic priest on 28 September 1985 by late Archbishop Stephen Ezeanya. He was later sent to Rome by Archbishop Ezeanya and since then he was Assistant to His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze.
Meanwhile, the Bishop Ezeokafor has commiserated with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State council over the death of her secretary, princess Ifeoma Anumba who died on Sunday 3 May 2015 after a brief illness.
Bishop Ezeokafor prayed God to gratitude the NUJ, Nawfia community and her family the fortitude to bear the loss and also prayed God for the quick repose of her soul.