Artistic impression of a church
By Sunny A. David
It was a great day in the history of Catholic Community Uke, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State when the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Denis Chidi Isizoh dedicated their church building to the hand of Almighty God
The dedication which took place on 9th February, 2020 saw unprecedented gathering of Uke community including an Anglican Priest of St. Lukes Anglican church Uke, Igwe of Uke HRH Igwe (surv) Charles Agbala and Ndichie, priests, religious and numerous parishioners.
Delivering his homily at the mass to mark the event, Bishop Isizoh described dedication ceremony of the church building as a great thing that happened in the land of Uke, stating that he was shading tears of joy watching the congregation jubilating. His words “this church started in the year 1966. It was first among the Catholic church which started earlier time but last to dedicated.”
He recalled that Uke community embraced Christianity in the year 1912 including Ogbunike and other communities in the present Dunukofia region, disclosing that late Archbishop Henry created Dunukofia region in the year 1939 and the first catholic priest worked in the region was Fr. Michael Iwene Tansi.
Bishop Isizoh further defined dedicating a church as a process of handing over the entire church building to God, adding that as the building dedicates, the congregation were as well dedicates.
The Bishop emphasized that the blessings which people receives in dedicating a church is numerous, just as he listed litany of the saints, anointing alter with chrism oil, incensing the alter and lighting church alter as the procedure involves in dedicating a church, urging every family to make it a point of duty within the week to go inside the church and pray.
Welcoming his guests, the parish priest Rev. Fr. John Achebe “Ochili-Ozuo” In a special way commended Bishop Isizoh for his encouragement, stating that his prayers worked for the parish which according to him contributed to the successful dedication of their church building.
He wished the Bishop long life, good health and God’s protection. The cleric equally felicitated all and Sundry who contributed in one way or the other for the success of the ceremony, thanking also his predecessors in the parish, monsignors, priests and religious who attended the ceremony.
Speaking to newsman, Mr. Bonaventure Chukwuka Akobi “Igwedike” stated that the dedication of their church was the greatest thing that has happened in the Uke community, nothing that as one of the planning committee of the occasion, he was overwhelmed that the dedication happened on their own time and encouraged the parishioners to keep their faith intact, advising idol worshipers in Uke to make a u-turn and come back to God.
Also addressing newsmem the President General of Catholic Men Organization Onitsha Archdiocese Hon. Sir. Ifeanyichukwu E.S. Nnajiaku “KSM” who graced the occasion hinted that history was actually made in Uke Catholic Community.
He commended the present parishioners who strived to dedicate their church which he said has stayed for decades without dedicating; pointing out that the dedication will improve their spiritual lives.
Sir. Nnajiaku also eulogized the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. John Okafor, describing him as a workaholic Priest and revealed that he will still do more for the parish to compare what he has done in his former parish, praying God to give him energy to pilot the affairs of God and draw souls to Christ.
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