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By Sunny A. David, Onitsha
The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has urged members of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) to deepen their spiritual lives by placing the welfare of others at the center of their daily actions.
He made the appeal during a Holy Mass held to open the 17th APKMN National Conference at the Madonna Renewal Centre, Nkpor, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The conference was themed “Hope, Faith, and Charity in Contemporary Society.”
In his Homily, Archbishop Okeke encouraged members to cultivate spiritual sensitivity that enables them to recognize and appreciate the good in others rather than focusing solely on personal achievements.
He emphasized that a society rooted in selfless service naturally becomes stronger and more unified.
“When we think of the good of others, they too will think good of us. Goodness begets goodness; selfishness attracts selfishness. Always try to make others happy,” he said.
Declaring the conference open with a lecture on “Faith, Hope, and Charity as Virtues,” the Archbishop described virtue as fundamental to human existence.
He explained that the theological virtues are divine gifts that uplift individuals and transform society.
He added that no community can achieve meaningful progress without sacrifice. “Even with intelligence, if one does not believe in God or is unwilling to make sacrifices for others and for the common good, one cannot contribute meaningfully to societal growth,” he said.
Guest speaker and Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, cautioned Christians against involvement in secret societies, stressing that secrecy and occult practices contradict the transparency and truth at the heart of Christianity.
He also highlighted the role of faith and love in building stable families and, by extension, a stronger society.
“If you remove faith in God, mutual trust in society is weakened, and our collective stability becomes threatened,” he warned.
Speaking on the dignity of Papal Knighthood, he reminded members that the title comes with responsibility. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said, urging members to remain committed to charitable works that uplift communities.
APKMN National President, RHC Steve Adehi, SAN, said the conference aimed to restore faith and hope among Christians amid Nigeria’s current challenges.
He urged the government to bridge the gap between official narratives and the everyday experiences of citizens.
“Our conference seeks to remind Christians that hope is not lost,” he said. “Nigeria can be great again; it has been great before.”
The President of the Onitsha Province of APKMN, RHC Peter Anazodo, described the gathering as a platform for profound spiritual and moral renewal.
Similarly, Prof. Augustine Nnonyelu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University praised the conference as “a form of total evangelization for positive change,” noting that the virtues of faith, hope, and charity lie at the heart of Catholic practice.
He also announced that the next APKMN conference will hold in Owerri before moving to other regions in subsequent years.
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