Fides Media Living the Faith
By Marcellinus Chiagozie Uzuanwu
St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Hill-top Abagana, last Sunday, received the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, who administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 144 candidates.
The Bishop, speaking during the homily, spoke of temptation which was captured in the readings of the day. He encouraged the congregation to master a way to overcome temptation, noting that temptation must come to anyone who believed in God. He recalled how Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil who told them to eat the forbidden fruit so they would be like God.
‘No matter how strong we are let’s know that all power belongs to God,’ he said, urging the faithful to keep the lord’s commandments, even though God’s mercy was eternal.
He explained that even Christ was tempted three times by the devil but the difference between Christ and man was that despite all the temptation and suffering the devil plotted, Christ never fell into one.
Bishop Ezeokafor also advised that no matter the temptation faced by the faithful, they should not allow temptation overthrow them but should rather overthrow temptation just like Jesus did.
The celebration continued with the blessing of St. Martin’s statue and the late Mr. Fidelis Iyikwobe Close.
Speaking with Fides, Rev. Fr. Anthony Mmoh, Parish Priest, St. Martin’s Parish Hilltop, Abagana, appreciated the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, for his pastoral visit, the confirmation of 144 deserving candidates, the blessing of the new statue of St. Martins and the late Mr. Fidelis Iyikwobe Close.
