…as Bishop insists that church will not lower standard for culture
From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State, yesterday, led prominent citizens of the state to eulogize the Catholic Church in Awka, which celebrated its 100 years of existence.
In his sermon, the officiating minister, and the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, paid glowing tributes to the forebears who brought the Catholic Church to Awka 100 years ago, promising not to let down the age old standard for any culture.
Apparently referring to the dust-to-dust culture that has put the Catholic Church at loggerhead with the Awka community, the Bishop clarified that the church was not against the people’s culture, but emphasized that those aspects that contradict the church’s doctrine needed to be done away with. He quoted an Igbo saying that goes: “If a glorious thing loses its glory, its glory would be gone.”
“What we are asking for is to grant us our rights to worship the way we want,” he added.
The chairman of the centenary celebration, Prof Austine A.U Nnoyelu, disclosed that the Late Offodile Nwamalaeru, who invited the white priest from Aguleri to establish the church and also gave the first place of worship in 1916, was among 43 persons that were honoured. The celebration witnessed home coming of Awka natives who were of the Roman Catholic faith as well as over 27 indigenous priests in attendance. Other prominent citizens who witnessed the celebration along with Governor Obiano were Senator Ben Obi; Senator Uche Ekwunife and the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye