The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has called on Christians world over to maintain absolute faith in God and remain steadfast in the face of persecution, sufferings, saying that God has never failed those who persevered.
Bishop Ezeokafor who stated this at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Nibo, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State during the 10th Anniversary Celebration cum Fifty Million Naira Church Building Project of the parish, emphasized that God was aware of whatever situation they found themselves.
He noted that he would continue to preach about God's unfailing and undiluted love and kindness to His people, adding that he had witnessed God's enduring mercy and compassion in his life and that of others.
The Catholic prelate admonished Christians to always be patience with God whenever they found themselves in an unpalatable situation, exhorting them to disabuse their minds from questioning God's decisions and actions.
'Some of us are so impatience while asking God for a favour. We always want God to answer us immediately without knowing the reason behind the delay. We cannot coerce, hurry or compel God into doing anything for us. He knows what is good for us and will give us exactly that,' Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Speaking on the celebration, the chief Shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese enjoined the parishioners to invest heavily in Church by completing the Church building project which he said had lingered for too long, urging them attend to the structure and other things needed to be done in the parish.
'Today is your 10th anniversary celebration. I congratulate you all. Now look around you and tell me if you are happy with the position of things in this parish. You need to come together and finish this Church building project. It has been like that for a very long time now.
'Invest in the house of God and also support their local parishes materially and otherwise. Why you live and do your businesses in the cities try and remember home. Home parishes are begging for attention. Do something. Contribute your quota. Do not say you have no money. Let your name appear in the contributor's list. Give whatever you have. God who sees in secret will reward you,' Bishop Ezeokafor appealed.
For his part, the parish priest of St. Joseph's Catholic Parish, Nibo, Rev. Fr. Paulus-Maria Okafor thanked the bishop Ezeokafor for his fatherly and love, especially for helping them to mobilize for financial and material support, saying that the bishop started the fundraising himself by donating towards the Church building project when he paid a Pastoral visit to the Parish in July 14th 2019.
Speaking during the occasion the Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano enjoined all to pray for the state at all times, saying that the issue of fire outbreaks recently in the state was not peculiar to Anambra State, adding that his administration was working round the clock to forestall future occurrence.
Governor Willie Obiano who was represented at the occasion by the Head of Service Anambra State, Barr. Harry Udu described the fire incidents as a national issue and should be tackle holistically both at the state and at the national level.
Those in Bishop Ezeokafor's entourage included, the Awka Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr Francis Chidume; the bishop's secretary, Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Monwe; the deputy chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ezeokeke and Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Chiegboka, among others.
Launching, group photography, acknowledgements formed the highpoints of the occasion
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