Anytime the Catholic Bishops meet, the nation awaits with fidgeted breaths – Governor Uzodinma

By Rachel Kogi, CSN

At the official opening ceremony of the second 2022 plenary of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma strongly commended the Catholic Bishops for unrelentingly providing resolutions to issues of national and global importance.

In his address at the ceremony which took place at the Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Centre, Orlu on Sunday, September 11, 2022, the Governor emphatically stated that “anytime the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria meet, the nation waits in fidgeted breaths,” because their resolutions which are usually widely circulated, “are always very logical, very rational and very audacious.”

The political stalwart observed that following the tradition of the Bishops releasing such resolutions, “one can rightly say that since 1958 when the CBCN was formed, it has become the conscience of the nation, speaking truth to power and seeking peaceful resolutions to burning issues.”

While commending the spirit of intensive prayer as outlined in the programme of the Conference, the Governor challenged the spiritual fathers not to “only be seen to be praying for peace in the country, but to also be seen to be advocates of peace and unity in real life,” noting that the Bishops have a huge responsibility to contribute to national unity and progress.

In a similar vein, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ambrose B.C. Orjiakor, profoundly applauded the Catholic Bishops for having lived up to the expectation of shepherding and pastoring. In his words, “the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, through the instrumentality of CBCN have lived up to and exceeded expectations.”

Making reference to St. John Paul’s book ‘Rise, let us be on our way’, which is a message to Bishops, Dr. Orjiakor identified the symbolism of three things Bishops are adorned with: the Miter, the Croiser and the Pallium. He explained that while the Miter symbolises that the Bishops represent the light on the mountain which everybody sees as they live examplary lives, the Croiser is a symbol of authority that represents natural care, responsibility and leadership. He affirmed that the Catholic Bishops have lived up to their responsibilities in all the areas enunciated in Pope John Paul II’s book.

The Chairman went on to note that “the Bishops represent a very symbolic and robust institution through which the people of the country must have a voice.” He decried the current rising incidents of divorce in families as well as the escalating insecurity in the country, appealing to the Bishops to find a more collegial way to save the marriage institution by ensuring that marriage tribunals respect the institution of marriage and carefully handle issues around marriage. With regards to insecurity, he praised the Bishops for the initiative of the prayer for Nigeria in distress and challenged them to do more.

Both speakers did not fail to offer words of congratulations to the Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke who was recently elevated to the cardinalate, as well as the new CBCN President and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.