By Ononye VC
Vatican based Prefect Emeritus,Sacred Congratulation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments,His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze on Wednesday,hosted statutory organisations of the Archdiocese of Onitsha at his residence at St Stephen novitiate Nkwelle Ezunaka near Onitsha.He interacted with representatives of the organisations and commended them for supporting the Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Reverend Valerian Okeke on the Shanahan University project.
The Cardinal expressed delight that the various statutory organisations and other well meaning individuals were committed to the success of the university project such that it was inaugurated without delay and a large number of qualified candidates were admitted and started studies without hassles.
He commended Archbishop Okeke for his resilience and commitment towards ensuring that the new university was making good progress and prayed that God will continue to give the Archdiocese the enabling spirit to achieve more success.
The various statutory bodies present are the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO)led by the CMO General Secretary,Hon Casmir Izukanne,the Catholic Women Organisation led by the Director Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike,the Laity Council led by the Vice President Lady Theresa Okonkwo and the Catholic Youth Organisation (CYON)led by the President General master Osorachukwu Okonkwo.
One of the Chaplains of the CWO, Archdiocese of Onitsha,Rev Fr Collins Okoye was also present on the visit.
Leaders of the organisations took time to brief the Cardinal on the progress they were making in evangelisation and support to the church particularly their efforts to galvanized support for the Shanahan University Onitsha,sensitization and education of the youths,moral engineering and skill acquisition.
Earlier while updating members of the organisations on the happenings at the Vatican,Cardinal Arinze said that of recent,the biggest event at the Vatican was the death of Pope Francis and the enthronement of a new one,Pope Leo XIV.
The Cardinal pointed out that one of the things God has done for Nigeria is the gift of three Apostolic Nuncios representing the Pope as ambassadors across the globe.He gave their names as Archbishop Jude Okolo(Czech Republic) Archbishop Brian Udaigwe(Sri Lanka) and Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu(Geneva).
In his vote of thanks,Rev Fr Collins Okoye thanked the Cardinal for always making out time to host the various organisations adding that his remarks were refreshing,full of wisdom,educative and enlightening.
Highlight on the ocassion was photo sessions with the Cardinal.