By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Management and Staff of St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital Onitsha, Anambra State joyfully received Archbishop of Onitsha and metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Provence, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke who paid them pastoral visit.
The Hospital management and Staff during the pastoral visit which featured commissioning of new projects in the hospital celebrated 40 years anniversary of visit by late Pope John Paul 11 who is now a saint to their Hospital.
Delivering his homily during Holy Mass, Archbishop Okeke described 40 years Anniversary of Pope John Paul 11 Visit to St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital Onitsha as a gratitude to God, explaining that gratitude is a feeling of indebtedness by someone who received favour without expressing it.
He, however, noted that gratitude must be expressed before it is real and it is compulsory not optional" If somebody give you a gift and you fail to show gratitude to the person, you are ungrateful. If you are grateful in your heart without expressing it, it is not real. You must express gratitude before it is real" Said the Archbishop.
The prelate further admonished that 40 is very significant, a unique number, sign of blessing, fullness and sign of completeness, even as he preached that 40 has scriptural symbolic which he said Jesus Christ fasten 40 days and 40 nights
He revealed that 40 years since Pope John Paul 11 visited St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, there are a lot of miracles and blessings in the hospital which he attributed to Pope John Paul 11 being a Saint and he is in the Haven praying for us.
He expressed satisfaction on the capability of management and quality of staff in the hospital. In a special way, he praised the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Very Rev. Fr. Izunna Okonkwo PhD for his doggedness to coordinate the affairs of the Hospital and ensured that the Hospital is growing from strength to strength, praying God to bless him and his lieutenants.
Appreciating his guests, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Very Rev. Fr. Izunna Okonkwo PhD lauded the Archbishop Okeke who he said is the proprietor of the Hospital.
He disclosed that Archbishop Okeke is the secret of greatness of the hospital, praising him for being supportive and encouragement to the Hospital. He posited that Archbishop Okeke is a blessing to humanity.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the cleric revealed that St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital is the best Hospital in the African sub-region, stating that celebrating 40 years anniversary of Pope John Paul 11 visit to their Hospital is invariably celebrating 60 years anniversary of the first Pope Who he said visited their Hospital in 1962 while Pope John Paul 11 visited them in 1982.
He reminded People that hospital is not a place to go and die but a hospitality, saying that Pope John Paul 11 international plaza is for hospitality, adding that people rush to St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital is because they offer quality, accessable and affordable health care to the populace.
He extolled numerous Priests, religious especially past and present Priests who had served in the Hospital. He specifically eulogized Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife who he said is the Onitsha Archdiocesan Health coordinator for his efforts and also all the hospital management, just as the Managing Director of Apams funeral LTD testified that the hospital is growing from strength to strength and he is privileged to witness 40 years anniversary of Pope John Paul 11 visit to the hospital.
Others who as well testified the high standard of the hospital includes; campaign director of Senator Uche Ekwunife, Mr. Edward Ezeabasili and traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, Igwe Pharmacist Alex Onyido who was the father of the day. He said that St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital Onitsha meet up with International standard based on the availability of quality facilities and quality health delivery.
High point of the event were presentation of various gifts which includes; Smart Television, Cash, Wrappers amongst other to some retired staff, outstanding Staff and silver jubilarian.