Bishop Ilechukwu blames Christians for revival of idol worship in Igbo land

By Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha

The Bishop in the Diocese of Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC), United Kingdom and Europe, London, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Ilechukwu, has blamed Christians for the revival of idol worship in Igbo Land.
Bishop Ilechukwu stated this Sunday in a sermon at St. Barnabas Anglican Church Photo, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State during the Thanksgiving Service to mark the end of the First Session of the 33rd Synod of the Diocese on the Niger.
Preaching on the theme of the Synod: “Christ in You, The Hope of Glory” taken from Col.1:27, the Bishop blamed christians for promoting paganism in Igbo land, saying: ” We are behind idol worship because of our life. If they see the light in us, if our life shines, they would not go back to paganism”
He warned about the consequences of “idol worship, paganism and satanism”, saying: “All the demons you are gathering will not take you anywhere where.
“Just because of small difficulty, you abandoned Christ. If all of us here are preaching Christ and living the life, there would be no rush for revival of idol worship in Igbo land”.
The Bishop also warned that gathering of idols would multiply sorrows to the individuals involved.
Quoting Psalm 35, Dr. Ilechukwu said: “these idols have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear, mouth but do not talk,warning again that gathering idols to our society and communities in Igbo land negates our belief and would attract dire consequences.
“Don’t take worship of idols and shrines for granted . Don’t support them. Unfortunately, we are clapping for them. You have no business worshipping them” he said.
Bishop Ilechukwu who is a medical doctor turned a missionary said the church has a role to play to stop drift toidol worship in Igbo Land especially by our youth.
“And the church is you and me. Call what is bad, bad and good, good” he told the congratulation.
The Bishop told the people that there is no other way to God except through Jesus, stating that there are about 4000 religious sects in the world but none makes the valid claim that he is the only way to God except Jesus.
He said : “You can’t see God through your ancestor worship. It is satanic.Jesus is the way, not one of the ways. No other religion gives truth except Christ”.
Continuing Bishop Ilechukwu asserted: ‘If you want peace and good life, make Jesus the only way of your life. We are privileged to be in the dispensation of grace”.
Bishop Ilechukwu said after this life, there is an eternity, warning: “There is departure that will happen here on earth. Do you ask yourself what will happen to me after my life here on earth. Do not be deceived, it is appointed unto man to die and after that there will be judgement. You need to prepare to meet Christ in eternity. It is either glory or shame. You may be glorified here but eternity will shame you”.
The guest preacher said there is an urgent need for all to receive Christ and remain steadfast in Him, stressing again: “There is no way in paganism and satanism. It does not take anybody to anywhere”.
He regretted that children of church members, especially that of leaders and rich among them do not follow them to serve God but have left church for idol worship
Stressing that Jesus brings peace to the family, Bishop Ilechukwu queried: “Are you building family for tomorrow or for disaster. There is no hope for families which do not train their children in Godly way. You must begin intentional training of your children in Godly way.
He told leaders and christian parents generally that they were behind the backsliding of their children to idol worship because, according to him, if they saw the light, they would shine for Jesus. Bishop Ilechukwu told both husband, wife and children to live examplary life of Christ because their stay here on earth is brief.
” It is expensive to gamble with eternity.In all these things, what is your hope for eternity? There is nothing to compare with eternity.Make peace with your God, neighbour, everybody around you now. If you fail to make eternity, you ‘ll blame yourself”.
The high point of the Thanksgiving Service was the blessing of Ojoto community by the diocesan, Rt. Rev. Dr. Own Nwokolo, and the cutting of the Synod cake by the Bishop, his wife, Dr. Mrs Elsie Nwokolo and other leaders.
The Bishop while fielding questions from journalists emphasized on the theme of the Synod: Christ In You, the Hope of Glory taken from Col.1:27, saying with Christ in people, there is hope they would reign with Christ when He returns.