By Abuchi Onwumelu

The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, says the Universal Church conducts infant Baptism as a way of catching people young and beginning early to introduce children to the way of the Lord, explaining that Baptism washes away original sin and prepares the baptized for an early journey to eternity.

Bishop Ezeokafor stated this on Thursday, 3rd October, at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Centre, Nodu Village, Okpuno, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, while baptizing and dedicating Comrade and Mrs Abuchi Onwumelu’s twin babies, Kamsiyochukwu Blaise and Kosisochukwu Brian Onwumelu, to God.

The charismatic and influential prelate emphasized that Baptism was one Sacrament of initiation through which one became a member of the Church, stating that it was a huge responsibility for both parents in ensuring that they guided the child to God.

He explained that the Catholic Church performed infant baptism because it cleansed the infant of what he termed, the Adamic Sin in them, just as it was part of the steps in obeying the scriptural injunction for every parent to train up a child in the way he should go.

‘I know that many other Christian denominations kick against infant baptism. But considering the fact that we believe as Christians that every child is born tainted with the Adamic Sin, and because some of these children do not make it to adulthood, it bears upon the Church to baptise them and give the parents the responsibility to ensure they are trained in the Christian way they had been baptised into,’ he concluded.

The event was witnessed by friends, associates and well-wishers of Mr & Mrs Abuchi Onwumelu; members of the Anambra State House of Assembly; top government functionaries, security agents, journalists, social media influencers, public relations practitioners, and broadcasters in the state, among others.

The Managing Director of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Sir Jude Emecheta; the Editor-in-Chief of Fides Newspaper, Hon. Jude Atupulazi; the Director of News and Current Affairs Department of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Gab Okpalaeze; Hon. Barr. (Mrs) Ebele Ejikeme; former SUG President, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Comrade Nelson Omenugha; Hon. Arinze Okafor; Hon. Amaka Obi and Hon. Tochukwu Obiadi were among those that graced the occasion.

Kamsi & Kosi (KK Boys) had as their sponsors, Hon Ezekwelu Kay & Hon. Kingsley Ezekwelu.