By Emma Ihemeje
The leadership of the Laity Council, lba Pope Chapter, Awada Zone, has successfully held its 2023 annual leadership seminar with the theme “Role of the laity on implementing Catholic social teachings, sensitisation and enlightenment”. The event was attended by some members of the Catholic laity in the zone.
Delivering a speech at the seminar, one of the speakers, Mr Benjamin Nwuba, who spoke on leadership, called on all the segments of the leaders of the church to re-emphasise the place of spirituality against the carnality now overtaking the lives of many in the Christian race. He lamented that Christians are no longer taught the essence of salvation, which is the most important thing that brought the death of Christ for mankind.
In his words, “Most Christians think that membership of a church and statutory religious organisations being up-to-date in all the obligations is a guarantee for salvation from God without observing the commandments of God.” He charged our religious leaders to rededicate themselves towards the salvation of the flock God has entrusted to their care rather than allow them to wallow in sin, just as he urged all Christians to engage in self re-examination.
Nwuba especially cautioned girls and mothers over immodest dressing, which at present has eaten deep into the fabric of our society to the extent that most of the ladies go about half naked. There were intermittent rounds of applause for the speaker as he serially identified those factors that prevent a someone from being saved. He reminded all Christians and their leaders of the essence of salvation and the ephemeral nature of this present life with God’s judgment.
In his brief speech at the occasion, Rev. Fr George Adimike thanked the speaker for not mincing words in reminding chris5tians of what they ought to know in their Christian race. He was not happy with the lukewarm attitude of some members of the Catholic laity towards church activities and urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of God. Also speaking at the occasion, one of the leaders of the Laity Council in the zone, Bro. Ben Chikezie (a.k.a Uzuakpundu), expressed satisfaction with the manner Nwuba told Christians about those things that distance them from God’s grace. He charged all to learn their lesson from the speakers at the seminar.
