By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Bishop on the Niger, Rt, Rev, Dr Owen Nwokolo on January 4, urged the newly admitted knights to put on the armour of God as soldiers enlisted in spiritual warfare.
He also warned them that the battles confronting them would not be physical, but spiritual, apparently centring on morality, integrity and righteousness.
Nwokolo who gave the urge in his homily during the investiture service for 85 faithful who were admitted into the knights of St. Christopher, at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha, described knights as three-star generals in the Lord’s army, cautioned against misusing the honour of knighthood to undermine the Church or her leadership
He stressed that the true sustenance of knighthood did not lie in public applause or ceremonial honour, but in deep spiritual discipline, constant exercise of faith and sustained encounters with God.
“Knights are not called to fight the Church,” he said, warning against turning swords against the clergy, the Mothers’ Union or the choir.
Bishop Nwokolo rather charged them to identify and confront the real enemies of God, foremost among which he said were sin, falsehood and injustice.
He lamented the prevalence of injustice in Igboland, citing the suffering of widows, the dispossession of the weak and the forceful seizure of land by the wealthy, urging the knights to stand as defenders of truth, equity and human dignity in their communities.
Emphasising integrity as the hallmark of knighthood, the bishop declared that a knight’s word ought to be his bond.
“Men of knighthood are men of truth,” he said, calling on them to live out their faith with courage and consistency.
Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of swords and scrolls to the candidates by the bishop, as well as the taking of oaths and pledges.
The newly admitted knights publicly affirmed that they were not members of secret cults and pledged to be living examples of faith in Christ.
Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
