By Tobias Ekirika
It was a jubilation galore last Sunday at SS John and Paul Parish, Iba Pope, Awada, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the Man of Order and Discipline of Nigeria, MOD, installed its new Deputy Archdiocesan Chaplain.
The new Deputy Chaplain is the Parish Priest of SS John and Paul, Iba Pope, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Maduka Agba.
The installation ceremony, which was preceded by a Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Agba, was well attended by parishioners, members of MOD from different parishes in the Onitsha Archdiocese, friends and well-wishers, including the Archdiocesan Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Evaristus Nwagbala popularly known as "Onowu Jesus"
In his homily, Fr. Agba harped on love as a universal language. He said love transcends religion and tribe, and urging Christians to show love to one another at all times, noting that any act of love shown today would be rewarded in the future.
Speaking with newsmen after the event, the Onitsha Archdiocesan Commander of MOD, Lt. Col. Okwudili Ezemba, said Fr. Agba was chosen because of his special love and consistent support for the organisation, even while serving as Chaplain at 003 Ogidi.
Ezemba expressed confidence that Fr. Agba would continue to promote the growth of MOD within and outside his parish and called on other parish priests to establish the organisation in their parishes.
He appealed to the Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, and other well-meaning individuals to support the organisation in its plan to build an Archdiocesan Secretariat at Iba Pope, Awada.
On his part, former Commander of MOD, Lt. Col. Engr. Johnbosco Nnamdi Iburu, said the duties of the organisation include protecting the Blessed Sacrament and preventing criminals from infiltrating the church. He thanked Fr. Agba for his moral support and for donating land for the secretariat project.
Responding, Fr. Agba, who is popularly known as Omere-Ora, thanked the leadership of MOD for finding him worthy of the position and promised to continue to support the growth of the organisation.
He appealed to the Federal Government to consider arming the group, saying its members are well trained physically, morally and spiritually and can contribute effectively to securing lives and property, both in the church and in the larger society.
He also urged parents to allow their children to join the para-military organisation for security training and for moral formation, fear of God, discipline and respect for humanity.