Fides Media Living the Faith
….. – Soludo at Anglican Synod
By Jude Atupulazi
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has reiterated the call for the Church to rise to the occasion and take responsibility for a better Anambra.
Governor Soludo made the call during the first session and formal opening of the 13th Synod of Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion in the state, which was held at St. Peters Anglican Church in Agulu recently.
He revealed that while the government had a role to play, individuals, institutions, and the Church played a larger role in the journey to what he described as a livable and prosperous homeland.
The governor, who noted that the body of Christ was one, condemned the resurgence of idolatry in the land, emphasizing the importance of defining the Christian identity for the upcoming generation.
‘As we build the symbol of the state, we must ingrain it as a state predominantly dominated by Christians,’ Governor Soludo stated.
He commended the St Peter’s Church for their support and collaboration, describing them as a vital partner.
‘Taking Anambra to the next level will require all of us working together. We must bond together as a state, including the entire South East.
‘Because the Church represents who we are, we must unite and work harder to move Anambra forward.
‘There is a call to duty, as well as a call to action! The Church has a role to play in shifting the situation from a perilous to a glamorous society. We must be the change we want to see because we will be known by our fruits.
‘The society would be a better place if every family or individual lived out the true meaning of our calling as Christians,’ noting that personal and collective responsibility was where the action was.
He urged churches to desilt drainages, plant trees, campaign towards stopping running water flowing out from residential houses, which, he said, caused erosion, and reintroduce its missionary component that included building schools and educating the poor.
In his sermon, the Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, applauded the governor for his working relationship with his deputy and the Church. He prayed for his administration and Anambra State.
The deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Senator-Elect Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh; bishops; the clergy, among others, attended the synod.