By Emma Meje
The Laity council of Nigeria, Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese led by Engr Leo Onyekachi Obiefuna has ended a three day leadership seminar in the state with a resolve to issue a communique on ways to stem the rising tide of Neo-paganism and social media problem in the country. The Chaplain of the laity council Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniofor through Sir lkenna Oduma lawrence and others successfully organised the all important seminar which was held at Madonna renewal center Nkpor and attended by the laity leaders from Onitsha, lyiowa, Ogbaru, Nnobi regions of Onitsha Archdiocese and Aguleri Diocese.
Delivery a lecture on the neo- paganism, syncretism with the theme of the seminar ,”the crisis of faith/belief in our modern time, the Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church Okpoko, very Rev. Fr.Theophilus Odukwe noted that the development was against the teachings of the Bible and the catechism of the catholic church, pointing out that the world is in crisis of true faith. He reminded the laity members that being the light and salt of the world, they should manifest it in every aspect of their life and also propagate the ideal of the seminar to their families and the church.
.The monsignor noted how crisis of faith is trailing different religious beliefs, leading to many not having absolute faith in God, especially those tending to believe that God must instantly answer their prayers or solve all their problems instantly, adding that the present crisis of faith will continue but the children of God should be able to discern the truth from fiction.
Also in his lectures on the positive and negative aspects of social
Media, Bro.Sampson Onah, a patron of the laity council noted that the technological changes in the world is affecting the church and our society in some ways, some positively, others in the negative. He affirmed that the social media as a means of interaction is helping in communication, business transaction, education, information dissemination, while in the negative acts of terrorism, kidnapping, prostitution, armed robbery etc have been on the increase . He suggested that block Rosary organisations should be used as a platform to counter some bad aspects of social Media .
Some of the organisers and regional leaders of the laity council who spoke to the press on the 2024 Laity council leadership seminar commended their chaplain for the choice of the conference topic and stated the need for spreading the outcome of the seminar. In his speech the Archdiocesan President of the laity council, Engr. Leo Onyekachi Obiefuna expressed appreciation for the seminar theme and the choice of the resource persons who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Sir Ben Okafor, the Onitsha regional leader of the laity blamed our youths on laziness for their wrong choice of issues and not wanting to learn various self employment vocations. He specifically condemned our youths who insist on “Omenani against the tenets of christian religion, calling on them to go for skill acquisition programmes being provided by government.
Sir Hyacinth Obielosi advised all the participants of the seminar to take the message of the 2024 laity conference home and parishes for the progress and growth of the church . Others who spoke on the essence of the seminar included Stephen Anthony Okechi, the Onitsha regional P.R.O.and the chairman of the laity council Sacred Heart Parish, as well as Hon. Edward Okeke secretary of the council.
