By Phil Okose, Onitsha
No fewer than four archdeacons and six canons were promoted at All Saints Cathedral Church, Onitsha, Anambra state, in an event that turned out a carnival of sorts. It was presided over by the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo.
The bishop had, after examining the candidates, taken them through series of pledges during which time they took various oaths of allegiance.
In the sermon that preceded the promotion, guest preacher and Bishop of Nnewi diocese, the Rt Rev Ndubisi Obi, challenged the newly collated ministers to learn how to use their positions to effectively effect the society.
In the homily which he tagged, “The power of the Gospel”, the bishop explained that it was the duty of the priest to inculcate what he described as the right kingdom values to the people. The world is waiting on us; the church and her ministers can help make the kingdom of heaven come on earth”.
He also called on ministers not to produce lazy congregations by making them to be one-sided Christians who, he said, preferred remaining in the church praying all day to going out to look for work.
Obi had also, while calling on Christians to be carriers of light, regretted that many so-called Christians claim to be children of God but without manifesting the principles of Christianity and kingdom values.
He, therefore, appealed to priests to always aim at producing quality Christians rather than pursuing large populations, saying transformation of character and quality Christian character should be uppermost in their minds.
Among the collated archdeacons were: Ven Francis Orah, Ven Emmanuel Ezeugo, Ven Sunday Okafor and Ven Elochukwu Ojukwu. The six collated canons included, Can. Chinedu Nnatuanya, Can. Tochukwu Okechukwu and Can. Benson Okafor. Others were Can. Chukwudi Amasiatu, Can. Sylvester Ebo and Can. Sunday Ilo.
The ceremony which was held under the strict observations of the COVID-19 protocols attracted over 5,000 Anglican and non-Anglican faithful.
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