By Jude Michael
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has exhorted priests to focus on preaching salvation and soul-lifting sermons, adding that prophets are supposed to tell the truth at all times, no matter whose ox is gored. This is even as he used the biblical Amos as an example of what a prophet should be.
The Bishop who made the exhortation on Sunday, 14th July 2024, in a homily during a Pastoral Visit to St. Patrick’s Parish, Awka, where he inaugurated the 2024 Year of Prayer as approved by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, said that the inauguration went concurrently in all the Parishes in Awka Diocese that day.
He said, ‘Your preaching will not always be sweet. It will offend some people. They may hate you or ask you to go away. Do not relent. Do not look at those who see preaching and delivering prophecy as a means of enriching themselves,’ Bishop Ezeokafor exhorted.
Bishop Ezeokafor noted that there were prophets and preachers called by God Himself and those who called themselves through learning and mastery of giving prophecies centred on personal gains. He stated that he was at the Parish to carry out his annual Pastoral function as the chief shepherd of Awka Diocese and as the Bishop in-Charge of the Parish, even as he acknowledged that as a Bishop, the Parish remained his abode.
‘I am here today because it is my abode as a Bishop. I visit other parishes every three years, while I visit St. Patrick’s Parish, Awka every year. It is during this visit that parishioners appreciate their Bishop, both in Kind and in cash. It is also a time when the Bishop prays and blesses the parishioners. I am here today because it is part of my Pastoral function,’ he said.
On the inauguration of the Year of Prayer, the Local Ordinary said the prayer would usher in the Jubilee Year in 2025, saying that the efficacy of prayers and its corresponding value could not be overstated. He charged all to imbibe the spirit of prayerfulness.
‘There are issues everywhere. People are facing all manner of problems. It is important we understand that we need prayers and no time will be better than now. I am really in need the prayers seriously. Go to communities, check everywhere; crisis here and there. Nigeria is in distress. Times are hard. The prayers are necessary and important and we should not despair. Be courageous. Things will certainly shape up and for the better,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Administering the Sacrament of Confirmation on the deserving candidates, Bishop Ezeokafor said that the future remained bright for the Church, expressing happiness that the younger ones were actually taking over from the aging ones, adding that it was healthy for the Church.
