Obiano Hosts Bishop Manfred Scheuer, Others to Dinner

By Abuchi Onwumelu

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Friday, 20th July, 2018 at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, organized a dinner party for the visiting Catholic bishop of Luiz Diocese, Austria, Most Rev. Dr. Manfred Scheuer and his entourage.

Addressing his guests, Governor Obiano expressed delight at the visit, noting that he had so much love for the people Austria, adding that he was a regular visitor to the country.

The governor who personally served his guests different dishes, narrated his experience in one of his visits to Austria, describing it as memorable and remarkable.

The Anambra number one citizen intimated Bishop Scheuer about his administration’s giant strides in the areas of security, infrastructure, health, education, youth and women empowerment, among others.

Speaking, the Catholic bishop of Luiz Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Manfred Scheuer, thanked the governor for the gesture, noting that the relationship between the Austria Catholic Community and Awka Diocese dated back to 1975, saying that they always looked forward to visiting Nigeria, especially Awka Diocese.

Dr. Scheuer expressed satisfaction with the security apparatus put in place by the governor, noting that the calm nature of the state had made their stay in Awka a memorable one. He said the gesture by the governor clearly showed that the government-Church relationship was cordial.

The Catholic Prelate blessed the governor and urged him to maintain the tempo.

For his part, the Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, thanked the governor for agreeing to host his guests, noting that he was highly impressed with the quick response of the governor when he hinted him about his guests.

‘I am particularly happy with the governor. I met him in a function few days ago and informed him about the visit of my guests to Awka Diocese. He accepted to host them. He didn’t waste time at all. I quite appreciate him. It is not easy. We are happy with him. The priests, religious and laity are strongly behind him,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.

Bishop Ezeokafor who was accompanied to the lodge by his secretary, Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Monwe, and Diocesan PRO, Rev. Fr. Patrick Okafor, assured the governor of the Church’s continued support and prayers.

Those in Bishop Scheuer’s entourage included Dr. Martin Feuereder (Personnel manager, Luiz Diocese); Dr. Goham Hinterunayer (Rector Major Seminary, Luiz); Mag. Michael Muenzner (Vice Rector Major Seminary, Luiz); Rev. Dr. John Umejioakor (Worked 171/2 years in Luiz Austria); Rev. Dr. Paulinus Anaedu (Still working there) and Rev. Fr. Maximus Nwolisa (Newly ordained in Luiz)