March 29, 2024
News Nigeria

Evangelization in Aguleri is challenging but quite interesting- Bishop Isizoh

Bishop Denis Isizoh, before his appointment by Pope Francis as the first Bishop of Aguleri Diocese, was the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha. In this interview with the National Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, he bares his mind on his appointment and also on the challenges of evangelization in and around Aguleri region, Anambra state.

CSN: Good morning my Lord and once again congratulations on your new appointment as the Bishop of the new, freshest Diocese in Nigeria, Aguleri Diocese. What does that mean to the Church in Onitsha and in the East as a whole?

Bishop: Thank you. The new diocese means that the Church is growing, and we thank God for that. We are getting more Christians and so we developing more areas, which means more work as well. We need to reach out to the people in far places and remote areas to announce the good news to them.

 

CSN: Thank you my Lord, you have worked in this area for some time now, though in the capacity of an Auxiliary. Now as a substantive Bishop of the area, what are some challenges you think you may be having at this initial point as a diocese?

Bishop: First I want to thank the Lord for adequately exposing me to the place before now. I know the terrain very well and I have interacted with the people for at least seven years, so that is something good. Indeed, there will be challenges. From the point of view of a substantive Bishop, because as the Auxiliary then, I must refer many things to the Archbishop, but now I know I will have to take the decision in consultation with the priests around me. Some areas in the diocese still requires primary evangelization because it is a riverine area, so we need boat to move around the stations. Some time ago, we faced the challenge of flood in the whole area, so we need to develop how to approach the work of evangelization in these flood-prone areas. Then we think of the schools, because the time they go back to school is different from other people since you have to go there when there is no flood; so, it’s a challenge for us.

Another challenge in that area is that people generally get married early, thus, they need girl-child care. We already thinking together with other people and agencies of government on how to help them. Furthermore, of course, we must not forget that this is the home of Blessed Tansi, so we have a lot to learn from. This is historic itself. We are looking at how to promote his course for sainthood as we have a lot to learn from him because by his own way of life, he taught us many things. So, every day we look closely at what he has done so that we too can emulate with the consciousness that we too can become Saints even in that environment.

 

CSN: Thank you very much my Lord, now you have spoken about the problem of flooding in that area, so would it be right to say that apart from having a car, having a boat will be a special need of the Diocese?

Bishop: Yes, though I have one already, there are stations in need of boats. We ensure that all priests and pastoral agents working in the Diocese know how to swim, so that while working if something happens to your boat, you will be able to manage to reach the shore.

 

CSN: Now on the date chosen for your installation? It is fixed for the feast day of Saint Patrick, 17th March, 2023. Is there any reason for that date?

Bishop: Well, first, it’s a Lenten period, so I prefer the sober prayerful moment. And secondly, we are aware that Saint Patrick, as the secondary patron Saint of Nigeria, has a lot to inspire us as missionaries in that territory. So, it is a good day to celebrate because he was a wonderful evangelizer, reaching out to the people of Ireland. Let us follow his example and reach into the riverine people in these areas.

 

CSN: Thank you very much my Lord, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you. Once again, congratulations my Lord!

Bishop: Thank you Fr. Please keep up your good works. Kudos to you and your team.

 

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