By Kizito Nonso
The Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia (CADEK) on Saturday, March 5, 2022 celebrated the Two Years Anniversary of the erection of the diocese and appointment of its first Bishop, Most Rev. Peter Okpaleke.
A statement released by the diocesan secretariat about the event which was marked in a low-key across all the parishes and chaplaincies in the Diocese called on the people of God to “commend our Bishop and all members of our diocesan family into God’s care” as well as pray for “peace and security in the South East.”
When Maranatha called on the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Okpaleke, who was at the point on his way to Abuja for the conference of Catholic Bishop’s of Nigeria (CBCN), to find out his thoughts on the celebration, he was upbeat about the future of the diocese. He thanked the entire presbyterium, religious men and women, lay faithful and friends of the diocese both in Nigeria and abroad for their continued prayers and support to him and the diocese while assuring them that he will continue to lead by example.
On their part, members of the diocesan family were full of praises and prayers for the prelate and the diocese.
For Fr Ignatius Ezeakacha, Episcopal Vicar of Achina Region, parish priest of St Charles Borromew Parish, Achina and president, Association of Diocesan Priests, ADP-CADEK, he expressed immense gratitude to God for His mercies, congratulated the Bishop for what he has been and continues to be for the diocese, while appreciating the priests and lay faithful for their support so far.
According to Fr Nicholas Abazie, the Episcopal Vicar of CADEK priests in Europe, “the new diocese is like a child born in a time of war. Hence the diocese has learnt to excel in difficulty and manage in scarcity, setting priorities right and monitoring developments one step at a time.” He congratulated the Bishop, the priests, religious and lay faithful of the diocese and urged them to continue to work for the progress of the diocese.
In their contributions, Frs Sebastian Onuorah, Bernard Oguejiofor, Julian Anaetoh, Augustine Onyebuchi and Patrick Onuegbu, all extolled the novel, human and humane ways the Bishop has been carrying out his pastoral care of the diocese entrusted to him while tasking the clergy and lay faithful to redouble their efforts in meeting up with the demands of a new diocese.
On their part, vice-chairman of diocesan pastoral council; Chief Joseph Ezeokafor (CEO, JEZCO GROUO), director, CWO-CADEK, Lady Theresa Azodo, President, CMO-CADEK, Vitus Uzoh, and President, CYON-CADEK Louis Nwokike, all lauded the Bishop for his rare grassroot-oriented approach, enviable pastoral strategies and his love for the diocesan family.
Mr. Hyacinth Ezeh from St. Anthony’s Parish, Umunze and Mr. Chibuike Nwaigene, Laity Chairman, St. Theresa’s Parish, Oko, said the new diocese has achieved a lot in the past two years, especially in the areas of grassroots evangelization, massive spiritual growth of the faithful, children evangelism and human development. He prayed the good Lord to bless the Bishop and the entire diocesan family.
Recall that the Diocesan Bishop, Most. Rev. Peter Okpaleke has continued to emphasize that the new diocese will focus on grassroot evangelization with a strong emphasis on family, systematic catechesis, collaborative ministry and human development with a preferential option for the poor, the marginalized and unloved. This is even as he is deeply committed to harnessing the modern means of communication for the purpose of evangelization of the people within and outside the diocese.
At creation, Ekwulobia diocese had 245 priests; 13 Priests Religious, 3 Brothers and 115 Consecrated women exercising their ministries in the diocese with 51 major seminarians, 276 minor seminarians and 127 catechists.
Within these two years, the diocese has ordained seven new priests while six priests have answered the eternal call.
The diocesan faithful despite observing many huge successes in the pastoral life of the diocese in the last two years identified some challenges; part of them are building a befitting Chancery Complex, Retreat and Pastoral centre, Skill Acquisition Centers for the youth, Sponsorship of Seminarians, Spiritual Year seminary and formation center etc.
