Tag: SAYS CLERIC

SYNERGIZE TO ACHIEVING HARMONIOUS SOCIETY, SAYS CLERIC

By David Okpala/Stella Okpala

The Catholic Bishop, Ekwulobia Diocese, Most Rev Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke has advocated synergy among institutions of the society to Achieving harmonious coexistence.

He said this in a homily during funeral cum burial Mass of Igwe Col. (Retired) Christopher A. O. Muoghalu, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Isuofia, in Aguata Local Government Area, on July 17.

The prelate said, “Neither Christianity nor Church is in enemity with African Traditional Religion or any other religious organizations. The teachings of the Church centred at humanity, making life worth living for mankind.

“On the other hand, culture is the people’s way of life. Therefore, there is no way the Church can stand up to culture, rather it is working toward making cultural norms beneficial to humans.”

He extolled Igwe Muoghalu who he described as a good Christian for not allowing Churches within Isuofia to run into conflict with African Traditional Religion practitioners.

He enjoined other traditional rulers to work in mutual understanding with other religious groups in their domain for better society.

The son of the deceased, Prince Okechukwu Muoghalu who described his father as an epitome of fatherhood, expressed gratitude to all attendees.

He prayed God to replenish all virtues lost attending his father’s funeral cum burial Mass.

The occasion witnessed presence of men from all walks of life. Prominent among them include Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Deputy Governor, Onyekachi Gilbert Ibezim, Mayor Aguata LGA, Dr Chibueze Ofobuike.

Others include host of Army Chiefs, Reverend Fathers cum Sisters, Ndi Igwe and Ndi Onowu.

David Okpala and Stella Okpala are of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State

ESCHEW LAZINESS IF YOU MUST NOT BE POOR, SAYS CLERIC

By David Okpala/Stella Okpala

The Parish Priest, St. Paul’s Catholic Church Akpo, Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Ubah has called on youths to eschew laziness, describing it as vehicle that drives to poverty.

He said this in a homily during Mass to commemorate 2026 Mother’s Sunday Celebration, at the Church, in Aguata LGA, on April 19.

The cleric said, “Laziness is reason why somebody that is not bad upstairs will believe that there is ritual that could make somebody get rich without working for it.

“These lazy youths pay money to getting these unclean rituals performed. They did not imagine that if this kind of ritual work the way they think, even the ritualist could have kept it for himself, children/children’s children to be born.

“Get rich quick syndrome (Ego Mbute) is a scam. Stop allowing them make fool of you. Riches are traced to hard work, honesty, integrity and fear of God. No deity, idol or anything created gives riches but God Almighty through hard work.”

The cleric enjoined mothers and prospective mothers to see marriage as a vocation, a divine call to serve God and humanity.

“Give good attention to children upbringing in order not to entertain heartbreak at old age. Devote time to making your husbands feel happy, live in peace with him to avoiding widowhood, “he admonished.

David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

APPLY WISDOM TO SURVIVING PRESENT DAYS ECONOMIC CRUNCH, SAYS CLERIC

By David Okpala/Stella Okpala

The Vicar, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo, Rev. Fr. Innocent Chinazaekpere Uwakwe, has called on Nigerians to be merciful to one another, emphasizing it as requisite to surviving present day’s challenges facing the country.

He said this in a homily during Mass to commemorate 2026 Divine Mercy Sunday celebration, at the Church, in Aguata LGA, on April 12.

The cleric said, “Going is tough in Nigeria, so bad that some families find it difficult to have even a meal for whole day. Some others struggle to have but unbalanced meal, as such subject their selves to hospital want.

“On the other hand, it is common knowledge that some people have more than enough for their selves. Surprisingly, it is being wasted in their various houses.

“The early Christians shared what they had with each other in accordance to everyone’s need and that made their coexistence better, survivals outnumbered casualties.”

According to him, we need to apply such wisdom today. It is not out of place to enroll the downtrodden into Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme(ASHIA) or its equivalent elsewhere. It is to make them have access to medicare. This and some other amenities to making life better to the downtrodden out of mercy, establishes meeting up the condition at which God shows mercy.

He made reference to Matthew Chapter 5:7 which says, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy”(KJV).
Nigeria shall be great again. Let us work together to living to tell stories of this hardship,” he passionately pleaded.

David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

STAY HAPPY AMID DISTURBANCES AS TO TELL IT AS STORIES, SAYS CLERIC

By David Okpala/Stella Okpala

Vicar, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo, Rev. Fr. Innocent Chinazaekpere Uwakwe, has called on Nigerians to stay happy amid security, economic and political disturbances ravaging the country, describing the move as requisite to telling stories of the crunch.

He said this in a homily during special Mass to commemorate 2026 Easter celebration, at Agbelu Village Hall, Akpo, in Aguata LGA, on April 5.

The cleric said, “News stories of terrorist attack, economic crunch, political disharmony awash the Dailies lately, yet not enough reason to stay sad. We need to stay happy to helping our soul and body.

He cited example of our Lord Jesus Christ who drank the cup of dying on the cross not because it is sweet or palatable but in the will of God.

“Hardship or suffering is not new to life, we only need to persevere.
He made it clear that those who preach that anybody suffering or passing through hardship is cursed are deriving their message from pit of hell.
“If Jesus suffered to the point of dying on the cross to save mankind and today being exalted above every other name, then suffering can never ever be said to be a curse.”Everyone of us has a cross to bear. Let us consider it pure joy, bearing it”.

The cleric expressed disappointment on those who go as far as stealing in the name of hardship, even in the Church of Jesus Christ.
“Every theft has a curse attached to it.”
He made reference to Zacharia chapter 5:3 which says, “This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for everyone that stealeth shall be cut off, KJV.

“This curse stands to the man who engages in stealing.
“The way out of it is restitution, which means giving back what you have stolen. Nothing justifies stealing, not even hardship.
“So, let us be contented with what we have, work hard in sincerity to getting more as desired.”

David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

GOOD FRIDAY: A DAY OF SACRIFICE AND HOPE, SAYS CLERIC

By Judith Oraeki-Anigbogu

Christians across the globe today solemnly observed Good Friday as one of the most significant days in the Christianity Calendar and a day of hope and reflection on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ to mankind.

In a message, Rev. Fr. Chimaobi Ntipia Okoye of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Nkpor, expressed that the day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, an event that brought salvation and redemption to humanity.

Fr. Chimaobi charged Christians to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in everyday life through corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

He reminded believers of the values of sacrifice, humility, forgiveness and unconditional love for one another. “Good Friday is not only a time to remember suffering, but also an opportunity for spiritual renewal and personal reflection”.

The cleric called on all believers to promote peace, show compassion to others and strengthen unity with families and communities, especially during challenging times. Despite the solemn tone of the day, the message of hope remains vital.

Fr. Okoye urged Christians to continue in quiet reflection and looking forward to the joy of Easter while holding firmly to the lessons of sacrifice and love that Good Friday teaches.

Judith is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ESCHEW PRODIGALITY TO RUN AWAY FROM HAVING PRODIGAL CHILDREN, SAYS CLERIC

By David Okpala/Stella Okpala :

The Bishop, Diocese of Aguata, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt Revd Samuel Ezeofor has enjoined fathers to work with wives to bringing up children they can proudly call their own.

He said this while admonishing men who stood behind their wives to be ushered into Women Guild of the Church, at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Akpo, on December 9.

The cleric said, “By sacrament of baptism, man is admitted into the household of God and saddled with responsibility of preaching and living life of love to humanity and God.

“Against this backdrop, it is agreeable that you as men are immediate pastors of your families. Therefore, if prodigal children are produced, the implication is that you did not pastor well.”

He cited example of Eli in the Bible, who was lenient from stopping the children from toeing the Lord path, but paid dearly for it.

“The story of prodigal son in the Bible did not record where his father resisted sharing what he has to giving him his own share.

“There were no questions about where he was going and what he was going to do with these resources there. Good a thing, he came back but paid dearly for his action. It is common knowledge that once there is a prodigal son, there must have been a prodigal father.

Bishop Ezeofor added that families are small units of the Church cum society.

“If we do not get it right in our families, we have ourselves to blame. Those of us deriving joy from wealth of our children at tender age without proper known source of income are not helping matters.”

He pleaded with fathers to spend time with children at home, to understanding their behaviours as to know when there are changes, to making amends on time.

The Church Service was to induce young Christians with the power of the Holy Spirit to become true ambassadors of Jesus Christ. It featured administering sacrament of confirmation to over 50 young Christians from Amaiyi Archdeaconry.

17 Girls were admitted into Girls Guild while 10 women were admitted into women folk of the Church.

The service had pastors and wives, of all the Churches in Amaiyi Archdeaconry in attendance.

The young confirmed Christians interviewed include Lydia Chukwu, Adaeze Okolie and Wisdom Ezeonyeji.

Those admitted into Girls Guild and women folk include Ijeoma Okpalaunegbu, Chikodili Ogbuaja, Chioma Ifedigbo, Mrs Helen Eze and Mrs Ozioma Onyebueke.

These persons spoke separately, yet agreed in expressing joy attaining new status in the Church. They promised going to serve humanity and God to achieving better society.

*David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.