Fides Media Living the Faith
... As 47 Parishioners Receive Sacrament of Confirmation
By Daruwana Daku
The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye, Monday, January 2, made a pastoral visit to St Martin’s Catholic Parish, Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The visit also ushered in the strengthening in faith of 47 parishioners alongside the blessing of St Anthony of Padua grotto and the parish priest’s office that was completed and furnished by one of their Parishioners, Mr Francis Ebuka Nweke.
In his homily, Bishop Okoye expressed joy for being in the midst of the parishioners. The Bishop who noted the growth experienced in the parish also thanked the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Raphael Agbanu, the Laity council and the Parishioners, for their efforts in seeing the parish grow.
He added that the church, despite being a village parish, had been dutiful in meeting up with her obligations to the diocese
Noting how the parish was not only growing in structure but also in faith, Bishop Okoye charged the catechumen to embrace the sacrament which they received in living their life for God. He added that the sacrament, which he described as an outward sign of inward grace, was to propel them in professing their faith with no iota of fear.
For his part, Fr Agbanu thanked Bishop Okoye, whom, he said, inspite of his busy schedule and change of diocese, made it a point of duty to be in their midst to bless their projects and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to their parishioners. He also thanked the parishioners for their contributions in making the pastoral visit possible.
Fides gathered that the date for the pastoral visit had already been fixed before His Lordship, Jonas Benson Okoye, was made the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi.
Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye is the immediate past Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka.