Seeks Greater Collaboration with the Clergy on Evangelization
By: Tim Etoh
The Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council has ended its 3rd Annual Convention, held at Amumara, Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA of Imo State.
The gathering, with the theme PROMOTING HUMAN DIGNITY AS THE BASIS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING APPROACH, brought together members across the seven deaneries in the diocese, including St. Augustine’s, the host. The event was held at Our Lady of Victory Parish, Amumara.
It started with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Anthony Ezekwe, Dean of St. Augustine’s Deanery, and concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Sixtus Ohanaja and Anthony Ezechinyere Anyanwu.
Fr. Anyanwu delivered the homily at the Mass, centering it on the Scripture passage (Matt. 28:19), which dwells on the Great Commission Christ gave his disciples, saying, “Go ye to all nations and preach the Good News.”
The homilist reminded all followers of Christ that the commission is also for us, as members of the laity. He said, “Because the good news is what brings joy to the earth, we, as followers of Christ, must be up and doing in spreading it in a way that reflects the Light that Christ is.” We should use our bible; spread the Good News within our families and other environments, he urges. He also asked, “Do we, through the news we spread, sow good fruit?” He noted emphatically that “if you are sowing bad fruits in your families, friends, and others, you are not light but darkness or bitter leaf, because you spread sadness instead of happiness.”
Going further, Fr. Anyanwu stressed that the news that we spread must bring light to darkness, and it must be the salt of the earth. Recalling the affirmation of Christ that those who preach the Good News shall do wonders, speak in tongues,, and have the power to heal the sick, he concluded by asserting that our acts of charity to humanity and sacrifices help us to fulfill these promises of Christ.
After the Mass, participants processed into a lecture session in the parish hall. The lecture topic, whose title is stated above, was delivered by the Noble Sir. Ezeji Anokwu, KSJi, a top administrator, Diocesan CMO president, Knight of the Church, and community leader.
Prior to the lecturer stepping onto the podium, Ezinwa Lolo Asumpta Nnaji, secretary of the Laity Council of St. Augustine’s Deanery, presented a welcome address on behalf of the hosting deanery. She expressed appreciation to God and welcomed all participants to the joyous occasion.
The Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, CMF; the Chaplain of the Diocesan Laity Council, Rev. Fr. Paschal Njoku; the Deanery Chaplain of St. Augustine’s, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ezekwe; and other members of the clergy and religious present were appreciated for their support and fatherly guidance towards the success of the convention. While quoting (Ps. 113:1), she expressed the joy of brethren dwelling in unity. She commended members of the diocesan executives, led by Bro. Anthony Isianyi, for the vision and sacrifices that have sustained the annual unifying and educative gathering.
While pledging loyalty to the bishop and the diocesan council, the deanery laity council did not fail to state some of the joys and challenges it has been encountering over the years, including the growth of some parishes and the eagerness of members to serve. Conversely, there exist challenges with regard to the skepticism of some priests over the activities of the laity in their parishes, as some priests, to the surprise of the laity council, after feedback, found that some parishes did not observe Laity Week this year in their parishes. Council, quoting (1 Cor. 12:4, 7), pleaded for collaboration between the clergy and laity to thrive as two wings of the Church to fly higher in the mission of evangelization.
Quoting another passage of the Bible (Gal. 6:2), the deanery council humbly prayed His Lordship and the diocesan council to graciously address the challenges. The council also invoked the intercession of Mother Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and St. Augustine, patron of the deanery, for God’s blessings on the laity of Ahiara Diocese, wishing everyone a successful convention and journey mercies back to their respective deaneries.
THE LECTURE
The lecturer drew the attention of participants to an encyclical by the Pope in 1891, which centered on social transformation. He said the papal letter attracted attention from the International Labour Organization (ILO), which adopted it as the standard rule on how to treat workers, concerning their welfare globally, promoting social justice, order in society, and social development.
While contextualizing the topic to contemporary Nigeria, sir. Anokwu described Nigeria as a massive country with a huge population of 230 million people, most of whom are youths, presenting numerous opportunities, but also serious vulnerabilities. He noted that in recent times, the country has been engrossed in socio-economic and political challenges, including unemployment (and underemployment), poverty, criminality, instability, and erosion or abandonment of socio-cultural values, with all combining to create situations in which human life and dignity are seriously undermined.
He asserts that, when governments neglect the populace, there would be resentment in the polity, but imbibing Catholic social teaching would enhance human life, thereby encouraging peaceful co-existence, stability, fairness, equity, and above all, the fear of God.
