‘Make encounter with Jesus always possible in Umuahia diocese’

• Archbishop Filipazzi exhorts Bishop Ukpong

By Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh

Six months after the former Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, was transferred to Owerri as the Archbishop and Metropolitan, the people of God gathered in their numbers inside the iconic Catholic Cathedral of Mater Dei, Umuahia, for the installation of the third bishop of the 65-year-old diocese of Umuahia.

The rite of installation of the new Bishop, Most Rev. Michael Kalu Ukpong, was performed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Guido Filipazzi, on 2 February 2023 in the presence of John Cardinal Onaiyekan, 21 bishops, over 400 priests, large number of religious and a multitude of the lay faithful.

Besides installing Bishop Ukpong, Archbishop Filipazzi also gave the homily during the Holy Mass, seizing the opportunity to remind the worshippers of the deep spiritual lessons the feast of the Presentation of our Lord, ‘mysteries rich in truth and grace’, has for the bishop and the people of God in the diocese.  

The homilist noted that the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord is called the Feast of the Encounter (Hypapante) in the Eastern Church; which highlights the encounter of Simeon and Anna with the child Jesus in the Temple whom they recognized as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon and Anna therefore “represent humanity that encounters its Lord in the Church.”

Developing on the theme of ‘encounter’ the Italian-born Church Ambassador observed that the historic ceremony of the installation is another form of encounter “between Bishop Michael and the faithful of the diocese of Umuahia, whom, from today, he will lead as a Diocesan Bishop.” He however urged the people to ensure that the encounter is not a mere physical one, but a more profound one, with the eyes of faith; which according to Pope Francis are “eyes that, like those of Simeon, can “recognize the Messiah, even in the guise of a poor little baby.” He then charged that such disposition will enable the new bishop and the faithful of Umuahia to always look at each other and look at everyone and every situation with the same gaze of Jesus, with the eyes of faith and like St. Paul, say of each other: “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded him from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer” (cf. 2Cor 5:16).

Bishop Filipazzi admonished that the Church must learn humility and obedience from the Child presented in the temple, “who was always willing to keep the Law of Israel, even though He is the Son of God and the Author of that Law.” Similarly, the Church must also learn from Mary and Joseph whom the Gospel spoke of five times as being obedient to the law of the Lord.

This is an invitation to a life of humility and obedience for Bishop Michael and his diocesan community. “Therefore, shine the humility and obedience of the Lord Jesus and that of His Mother, who was not bound to ritual purification, being Virgin before, during and after childbirth. The priests, consecrated men and women, the lay faithful and the Bishop; all are called to live of humility and obedience.

“I also recommend humility and obedience to Bishop Michael, who today must repeat what Benedict XVI said at the beginning of his pontificate: “My real programme of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the word and the will of the Lord” (homily, 24.4.2005).

“The first encounter between Bishop Michael and the Diocese of Umuahia on the feast that celebrates the encounter of Christ with humanity then reminds us what the mission of the Bishop is, as well as the mission of the Church and all her members. She has no purpose other than to make the encounter between each person and their Redeemer possible.”

“Therefore, the many Church activities that are carried out must always serve to bring about the encounter between Jesus and souls. “Sometimes we risk losing our bearings, getting caught up in a thousand different things, obsessing about minor issues or plunging into new projects, yet the heart of everything is Christ, embracing him as the Lord of our lives” (Francis, homily, 2.2.2021),” he challenged.

 Furthermore, just as the elderly prophetess Anna, who “spoke of the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem,” Archbishop Filipazzi urged that this must be the primary mission of the Church in Umuahia, bishop, priests, consecrated persons and lay people: to bring each and every person and everyone to meet Jesus!