By Nna Anulumadu
Justice Development, and peace commission (JDPC)Onitsha Archdiocese last Sunday, December 3, poured encomiums on the Chief Shepherd His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke for his unflinching support to the commission.
The director of the commission Rev Fr Edwin Udoye poured the encomiums on the prelate during JDPC Archdiocesan meeting hosted by St Anthony Parish Nkpor.
Speaking further, he stated that with the support of the Archbishop, and Bishop Denis Isizoh of Agueri diocese when he was the auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha, the commission has not relented in achieving her crucial roles in the society that revolves around restoring justice, keeping environment clean and ensuring welfare of the less privileged and downtown.
He reminded the public that JDPC is carrying out important functions ranging from ensuring cleanliness of the environment, economic justice, defending human right, monitoring elections to rendering humanitarian services.
The director further enjoined the public to always report cases of child abuse, violence against women especially widows, inhumanization etc, pledging that the commission can go extra mile including hiring of lawyers to ensure justice.
Fr Udoye also noted that the said meeting would be the last members who fall under the newly created Aguleri diocese will participate in as proper arrangement has been made on how to settle JDPC members of Aguleri diocese for easy kick off of the commission in their diocese. He pledged continual support to JDPC Aguleri diocese, urging them not to rest on their oars in performing JDPC functions. He charged every Catholic to support JDPC work through regular donations.
On the other hand, he commended the Parish priest St Anthony’s parish Nkpor, Fr Anthony Chukwu for his great support to the activities of JDPC, stating that his parish takes the first position among parishes who are supporting the commission.
Fr Anthony Chukwu who spoke earlier during the Holy Mass that kicked off the meeting, praised the sincere efforts of Fr Udoye in taking the commission to an enviable height, testifying that with Fr Udoye on saddle, the commission has recorded tremendous achievements in discharge of their functions.
The chairman JDPC Dunukofia region Mr John Iwuanyanwu who spoke to Trinitas expressed joy over the feats JDPC achieved so far under the administration of Fr Udoye. He also thanked the friends of JDPC for their support their usual support to the commission. He advised members who are now under Aguleri diocese not to let the flame of the commission go off.
