Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ifeoma Ezenyilimba
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia (CADEK), Most Rev Peter Ebere Okpaleke, last Sunday, November 21, feasted with his diocesan faithful of Akpo Catholic Community. It was on the occasion of the 2021 Annual Solemnity of Christ the King Celebration, also known as Ofala Kristi.
Fides gathered that Most Rev Peter Ebere Okpaleke led the faithful of St Paul’s Parish,Akpo, Aguata LGA, in a Eucharistic procession, as they took through the streets of the town to celebrate and proclaim Jesus Christ as the universal king.
This was even as the faithful of Christ the King Parish, Akpo, and their counterparts of Holy Family Parish, Akpo, were led in their Eucharistic processions by their parish priests, Rev Fr Valentine Mgbemena and Rev Fr Philip Okoye, respectively. The procession which took off from the various parishes was concluded at Agbaelu Hall, Akpo, with the Ofala Kristi celebration and benediction by the three parishes.
Earlier when he led in a concelebrated Holy Mass to mark the solemnity of Christ the King Celebration at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo, the Bishop of CADEK, Most Rev Okpaleke, in his homily, described the celebration as a great Solemnity for the Church and the people of God.
The bishop, who stressed the need for all Christians to proclaim Jesus Christ the King and Lord in and out of season, warned those who shied away from praying and making the sign of the cross in public gatherings to desist from such in order not to lose their inheritance as children of God.
He explained that as stated in the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ would not proclaim such persons as his own people before God the Father, since they could not proclaim him (Christ) before other people.
Citing 1 Corinthians 15:23-26, the Catholic prelate described Christ as the first born who resurrected from the dead, and the King for all eternity. He tasked all to do their best and honour Jesus Christ all the days of their lives so as to be among those who would be counted as princes and princesses of the eternal King in the end.
Bishop Okpaleke exhorted Christians against ways of life, which, he said, contradicted their Christian calling in which they were initiated at baptism. He urged the people of God to, as princes and princesses, model their lives after Christ who was a just and true King