Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey I. Onah, has charged Christians “to at all times let sincerity bear witness in what you do and how you live your lives so that the message of Jesus Christ will pull men and women to God”. The clergyman gave the charge while delivering a sermon at the dedication of the new N160 million St.Theresa The Little Flower Catholic Church in Ipong, Obudu LGA.
Onah who took his lesson from John’s gospel, chapter 2: 13-22, also instructed that “the gospel message must enter our political system to make us better people because unless we accept and allow the message of God enter all facets of our life, we will not go far as a nation”. He described the dedication of the church in Ipong as “the beginning of great transformation taking place in the community”, and congratulated the local ordinary, Bishop John Ayah for the crop of priests he has in Ogoja Diocese.
Represented at the well attended ceremony by his Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Eyo Okpo Ene, CRS governor, Liyel Imoke, congratulated the Parish Priest and brain behind the project, Rev. Fr. Peter Obele Abuo for deciding “to build a befitting place of worship in Kakum so as to help in transforming many lives and make our society a better place to live in”. Imoke further placed on record his deep appreciation to Fr. Peter Abuo for his “inspiring life of dedication and total commitment to the service of God and mankind which has remained a source of blessing and encouragement to all who have been associated with” Fr. Abuo. He prayed the Almighty God “to continue to endow” Fr. Abuo “with more anointing” as he works in His vineyard. Imoke donated N1 million in support of the dedication.
Rev. Fr. Peter Obele Abuo on his part expressed gratitude to God, his benefactors in the USA, who immensely contributed to the church project, his local ordinary, Bishop John Ayah as well as the people of Ipong and beyond for their tireless efforts.
Earlier, a thunderous applause erupted in the church after Most Rev. Dr Joseph Edra Ukpo, Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Calabar, anointed the altar and church pillars with the oil of Chrism, before Bishop Ayah pronounced the church dedicated to God.
In attendance were CRS Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Patrick Ugbe, the Obudu LG boss, Emma Ugbe, Uti J. D Agba, Paramount Ruler of Obudu LGA and numerous dignitaries. More than N5 million was realised at the occasion.
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