By Ononye VC
The Basilica Square,Onitsha was literally full to the brim on Saturday with hundreds of joyous faithful made up of families,friends and well-wishers who came to pray and witness the ordination of 22 deacons as new priests of the Catholic Church.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev.Valerian Okeke ordained the new priests in a solemn ceremony consistent with the churches’ rites of ordination of priests in the order of Melchizedek.
The Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe was represented by his cabinet member,Chief Chuka Ifejika (Onoli Oguda)and his team while the prestigious Otu Odu society of Onitsha was richly represented.
The political class was not left out.The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District Senator Victor Umeh, APGA National Chairman Barr Sylvester Ezeokenwa,the Onitsha North Local Government Mayor Hon Nweze Nworah,Hon Primus Odili,Hon Valentine Ozigbo,and the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma Udeh were present.
Other dignitaries are,the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education,Dr Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi,the Director,CWO Onitsha Archdiocese Dame Ngozi Nwanosike,Hungarian philanthropist Dr Mrs Reka Fodor,the President General of CMO Archdiocese of Onitsha Sir Evarist Uba and the state Commissioner for youths Hon Agha Mba.
The knights of the Church with their various leaderships from Knights of St Mulumba and Knights of St John International were present.Also hundreds of priests and members of the consecrated religious participated in the celebration.
Delivering his homily,the Archbishop charged the new priests to always abide by their oath of obedience,poverty and chastity and steer clear of worldly pleasures which are not the qualities of a good priest otherwise their priesthood would be worthless.
“When you are pursuing wealth,you are not doing the right thing and don’t pursue attractions of this world”the Archbishop charged them.
The Archbishop admonished the faithful not to steal to impress the priests but advise and cooperate with them in the course of their priestly duties.”Don’t give wrong advise or be an obstacle to a priest but assist them in prayers”,the Archbishop said.
In his closing remarks, Chancellor of the Archdiocese,Rev Fr Prudentius Emeka Aroh advised the new priests to make their priesthood a vocation of sacrifice, obedience and prayers and also adhere strictly to the exhortations of the Archbishop to be exemplary priests.
Rev Fr Michael Okoye made a remark to formally welcome the new priests to the fold of old priests.
Meanwhile,the Omenugha family of Nnobi whose son Rev Fr Damian Omenugha was one of those ordained a priest attended a special thanksgiving during the Mass.
The family was led by the head of the family,Lord (Dr)Michael Omenugha (Ichie Obama)and wife Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha(Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University).
Various cultural troupes came from various parishes to receive and cheer their candidates.This was followed by reception at various sections of the Basilica Square.
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