The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) Ahiara Diocese, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, held their second Diocesan Convention and the first for the year 2026 at St. Dominic’s Parish, Umuawada Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise.
The convention started with an Eucharistic Celebration that was presided over by Rev. Fr. Paschal Njoku, the Chaplain of Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council, and concelebrated by other priests. Fr. Njoku, while introducing the Mass, thanked God for the great opportunity to hold the first convention in the year 2026 and equally welcomed all present for the Eucharistic Celebration.
In the homily, Rev. Fr. Protase Anyanwu, the Parish Priest of St. Dominic’s Parish Ezi-East and the Dean of St. Catherine’s Deanery Ezi-East, highlighted the exemplary life of St. John Bosco and his lasting positive influence on the youths, editors, and other spheres of life. He went on to urge the faithful, especially the youths, to be watchful and mindful of false teachings in the church. Fr. Anyanwu urged the faithful to emulate St. John Bosco, who followed the right teachings and equally taught others.
About the Apostles who were seized with trepidation at the turbulence of the sea, even when Jesus was present, Fr. Anyanwu encouraged the faithful to follow Jesus and be unruffled when life challenges emerge, because Jesus is present and God is always involved in all our endeavors. He told them to have faith in God, worrying less about things while relying on the unfailing help of God. “When you are troubled, be still and look up to Christ because he is at work,” he added. Fr. Anyanwu further advised the faithful to ensure they properly hand over to others the baton of faith they have received from Christ.
The Dean of St. Catherine’s Deanery Ezi-West welcomed all to their deanery. The president of the Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council, Mr. Anthony Isianyi, articulated his sentiments of gratitude to all present and related his joy in the fast-growing population of the council in the Diocese. He went on to admonish the faithful to be happy and glad in doing God’s work as a lay faithful.
The Vicar of Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council, Rev. Fr. Augustine Amadi, made known his joy to be part of the convention and for the encouraging number of individuals who have come to be part of the event. He thanked the chaplain, the president, and all the executives of the Laity Council in Ahiara Diocese for their great efforts to develop the association.
The Chaplain of the Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council, Rev. Fr. Paschal Njoku, thanked all priests and lay faithful present for the occasion and encouraged them to do all in their power to make the association known and valued by the lay faithful.
Following the Mass was a reception at the parish premises, which featured an opening prayer by the chaplain, a welcome address by Amb. Oblate Gregory Inyamah (Chairman, St. Catherine’s Deanery Laity Council), and an encouraging speech by the erstwhile president of Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council.
The activity that featured prominently was a groundbreaking lecture by the guest speaker, Prof. Oby Angel Nnamocha, the Ahiara Diocesan CWO President, on the theme “Empowering the Laity to Transform Communities with Gospel Values.” The lecture highlighted the significant role of the laity in the church by being catalysts for change in bringing gospel values into everyday life. The lecture emphasized that transformation begins inwardly as the action of the Holy Spirit and translates locally in families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Further, Prof. Nnamocha stated that proper formation of the laity helps to build and strengthen the missionary spirit, and in working together, the gospel is lived by the faithful to build just, compassionate, and hope-filled communities. The questions and reactions from the audience were thoroughly answered by the guest speaker.
The vote of thanks was given by the president, Mr. Anthony Isianyi, and the closing prayer by Rev. Fr. Ezechinyere Anyanwu, the Assistant Chaplain of the Ahiara Diocesan Laity Council.
