By Emmanuel Eko & Cynthia Aule, CSN Media
The Representative of the Knights of Columbus, Dr Steve Rasche has paid a visit to the proposed site for the nascent Catechetical Institute of Nigeria, at the Veritas University, Bwari-Abuja.
The visit which took place recently had an entourage comprising of the Chairperson, Taskforce Committee of the nascent Institute, Prof. Mrs. Sophia Ogwude; the Secretary, Mr. Benedict Asiegbu; Sir Godwin Ukel, KSM, (member) Femi Adeojo the CBCN Secretary for Religious Education and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria media team.
The first point of call was the Veritas University, the host campus. The Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, expressed his sentiments of gratitude to the team for deeming it fit to stop by in the University. The Director of Development for the University, Rev Fr Martin Onukwuba joined the team on visit to the site.
Speaking at the proposed site of the nascent Institute, Dr. Steve said the choice of land site looks appropriate as a peaceful environment which will enable deep thinking and sound faith research for the students. The land is about ten hectares in size.
In a warm reception at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi commended the willingness of the Knights of Columbus to stretch arms of support for the opening of such a great Institute.
Highlighting the importance of Catechists, Rev. Fr. Samjumi said: โThe work of the Catechists in Nigeria is very important, most of our churches or what we call our Parish apart from those in the cities, even those in the cities, they have at least one, two, three that are built around them, we call them out stations. In some other places, you can get up to twenty or thereabout, so the Priests have no way even if you they are four in number, to cover all the stations. So, the Catechists out-there work with these people, organizing them, being prayer leaders. As our societies grow and following the mind of the Holy Father, Pope Francis who, in Antiquum Ministerium emphasized the need for advance or higher studies for Catechists; we think that we must also step up and have those who are Catechists, well trained,โ he said.
In a response, Dr. Steve said the purpose of his visit to the site, was to behold the proposed land site in reality. โI am very happy to see how prepared the CBCN is and I promise to expedite action especially for the six candidates to enjoy scholarship for Masters Degree in Catechetics who, eventually would be a team to foster the workings of the Catechetical Institute of Nigeria.
The Deputy Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo appreciated Dr Rasche and the Knights of Columbus for the laudable initiative and prayed God to bless them.
