St Mary’s Parish,Onitsha Inland Town Hosts Cardinal Arinze

By Ononye VC
It was not an ordinary Sunday outing for parishioners of St Mary’s Catholic Church,Onitsha Inland Town as they hosted the Prefect Emeritus,Sacred Congregation For Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacrament,Vatican City,His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze.
The parishioners led by their Parish Priest who is also the Episcopal Vicar of Onitsha Region,Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor listened patiently to the wise counsel,words of wisdom and global issues which pose challenges to the church.
The Cardinal expressed worries how the church in Germany was posing a challenge as many especially the youths were not showing interest in activities of the church.This he pointed out,portends a great challenge to the church.
The Cardinal gave insight on how some Nigerians especially members of the religious of Igbo extraction were assuming important positions in some institutions abroad and giving good account of themselves over there.
He pointed out that Nigeria has 3 Papal Nuncios (Pope’s representatives)across the world,a feat he said was encouraging.
The Cardinal further spoke on the progress so far made by Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Women Organisation (CWO)across the globe and the passionate interest of St Pope John Paul 11 about the CWO.
Earlier in his homily during the mass,the Cardinal admonished the parishioners not to lose hope in the face of present difficulties in the country.
According to him,before the death of Christ,he had told them not to lose about his impending death and that those trying to kill him did not know that his sufferings and death would bring salvation to mankind.
He expressed hope that with prayers and hope,Nigeria would be great again.
The Parish Priest,Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor expressed appreciation to the Cardinal for finding time for the visit.Fr Johnbosco enumerated many exemplary deeds of the Cardinal during his stewardship as the Archbishop of Onitsha and also during his active days at the Vatican.
The traditional of Onitsha,Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe was represented at the ocassion.The Director General,CWO Archdiocese of Onitsha,Dame Dr Ngozi Nwanosike was present while representatives of the parish organisations and societies were also present.
The Cardinal was presented with various gifts.He later posed for a special photograph with elderly parishioners aged 80 and above.