ARCHBISHOP OKEKE CONFIRMS 1,335 CATHOLICS, URGES CHRISTIANS TO DEMONSTRATE LOVE THROUGH CHARITY
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, on August 1 administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 1,335 candidates during his 11th pastoral visit to Sacred Heart Parish, Odoakpu, Onitsha.
Delivering his homily, Archbishop Okeke urged Catholics and Christians to go beyond professing love with words by demonstrating it through acts of charity and compassion.
According to the Archbishop, love is best expressed by caring for one another and offering practical assistance to those in need. “Love is caring for one another. It is demonstrated by practically helping people in need. Don’t just say, ‘I love you’ or ‘God loves you’; show that love,” he said.
During the visit, the parish presented 200 bags of cement to support the ongoing construction of Shanahan University. Archbishop Okeke described the institution as a skill-oriented university designed to serve as a meeting point between faith and science.
The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Hyginus Zikora, expressed appreciation to the Archbishop for making time to visit the parish, noting that the pastoral visit would strengthen the faith of both the newly confirmed candidates and the entire congregation.
He urged the candidates to live exemplary Christian lives by bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “The visit is an encouragement and will strengthen the faith of our parishioners as we continue to enjoy the Archbishop’s pastoral blessings. I urge the candidates to let the fruits of the Holy Spirit begin to manifest from this parish.”
Fr. Zikora also described the donation of 200 bags of cement as the parish’s contribution to a collective diocesan project, expressing confidence that future generations would benefit from the university.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, Mr. Festus Mmadunatu, described the Archbishop’s visit as a memorable occasion for the parish.
He said the donation to Shanahan University reflected the parish’s commitment to supporting the Archbishop’s vision for quality education, stressing that education remains the foundation for a better future for the South-East.
Mr. Mmadunatu encouraged the newly confirmed faithful to remain steadfast in their christian faith and disregard claims that christianity is a scam, insisting that the church has made significant contributions to the development of the region. He further urged christians to practice genuine agape love by demonstrating kindness and compassion toward one another.
Similarly, the member representing Onitsha South II Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly under the NDC platform, Hon. Jude Umennajiego, described the Sacrament of Confirmation as a spiritual renewal that strengthens believers through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
He noted that every pastoral visit brings abundant blessings to the parish and encouraged the newly confirmed candidates to remain faithful to the promises they made during the sacrament.
Uzo Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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