- 250 candidates confirmed
By Nna Anulumadu
The Catholic community of St Therese’s Parish, Umunya, in the Diocese of Aguleri, last Sunday, May 7th, 2023, staged a colourful reception for their pioneer bishop, the Most Rev. Denis Chidi Isizoh, who paid a maiden pastoral visit to the parish as the newly installed bishop of the Aguleri Diocese.
The spectacular event witnessed the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to 250 candidates.
In a welcome address at the event, the Catholic community felicitated the bishop on his installation, confident that with his wealth of knowledge as a priest and former auxiliary bishop of Onitsha, he will take the new diocese to an unprecedented height. They also believed that with his untainted discipline and thoroughgoing dedication to duty and professionalism, he will give his best to the new assignment with singular devotion to God.
They also highlighted some of their achievements including singlehandedly building a gigantic classroom block/administrative complex for the parish and its secondary school, donated to the parish by an illustrious parishioner, Chief John Agulue. Other feats achieved are the installation of solar power at the parish, a project sponsored by another parishioner, Chief Nicholas Nwabueze, and the creation of five outstations.
Responding, Bishop Isizoh commended the parishioners for their outstanding efforts in developing the parish and for their show of faith in the things of God, stating that very soon the community will get a new parish.
The parish priest, Rev. Fr John Anosike, in his remarks thanked the bishop for visiting them and described him as a dedicated and dynamic prelate who has come to develop the Aguleri Diocese and win more souls for Christ. He also thanked the parishioners for their commitment and usual support, describing them as people of faith.
The parish CMO chairman, Sir Fabian Ikechukwu Nwankwo KSJI, who spoke to Trinitas, expressed great joy over the visit of the prelate, asserting that they were lucky to have him around, and that his coming would bring more blessings to the community.
Also, the parish CWO president, Mrs Angela Ibuodima, in her contribution said they were elated to receive the local ordinary. She enjoined her fellow parishioners to remain committed to their faith.
A parishioner, Chief Valentine Ikeanyionwu, who added his voice, said they were glad to receive the new bishop. Aguleri, he said, is a challenge to them who are stakeholders, but they are ready to build the new diocese, not minding the degree of work awaiting them. He charged every Catholic in the diocese to be committed and supportive of the development that has just begun.
Earlier in the holy Mass that commenced the occasion, Bishop Isizoh urged Christians to practise what they read in the Bible and become living Bibles others can read. Parents, he advised, must always take up their responsibilities by guiding their children in the right path since family is the place children can hear the first word of God. He reminded parents that when they fail to train up their children, they (parents) may suffer in their old age because of neglect by the children.
