Be witnesses to the Gospel you preach – Bishop Nwobi
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the atmosphere at Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara Mbaise, Imo State, was full of joy and excitement as 13 seminarians were ordained into the diaconate order, marking a milestone in their journey to the priesthood.
The solemn ceremony clearly demonstrated the candidates’ preparedness and enthusiasm for their calling, alongside the unflinching support from members of the diocesan faithful throughout the event. The Mass of the occasion was presided over by Bishop Nwobi, assisted by a number of other priests.
In his remarks, the ordaining prelate congratulated the candidates for responding to their calling and encouraged them to serve with humility and dedication. He prayed for their success in achieving their aspiration for the priesthood in no distant time. Bishop Nwobi also expressed gratitude towards the parents and formators of the ordinands for their steadfast support.
Addressing the candidates, he urged them to be true witnesses to the Gospel they proclaim. He highlighted several pieces of advice to help them in their ministry. “To effectively share the Gospel of Christ, it must first resonate with you, and you must proclaim it diligently. Learn how to preach the word of God because you cannot give what you do not have. Do not be carried away by some social media presentations of some ministers today; instead, make Jesus Christ your role model. Avoid bringing shame to the diocese; focus on contributing positively to the growth of the community.”
He further exhorted them to imitate Jesus Christ by serving others rather than seeking to be served. Bishop Nwobi encouraged them to strive to please God with humility and grace. He concluded by urging them to remain focused and pay attention to what they have been called and be always ready to serve.
The Vicar-General, Very Rev. Fr. Godson Okoro, expressed his gratitude during the vote of thanks to the Bishop, the formators, the priests, the deacons, all the consecrated persons, and everyone present for their time.
In a joyful mood, Bishop Nwobi bestowed his pastoral blessings upon all after sharing the goodwill message from the supreme pontiff, which was conveyed during the recent Ad Limina Apostolorum visit of Nigerian bishops to Rome.
It was indeed a memorable day for the Ahiara diocese. The newly ordained deacons include: Revs. Justin Oguledo, Nkwachukwu Nzenwa, Kizito Anamekwe, Brendan Onyemegbulem, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, MacDonald Ohakpugwu, and Ethelbert Ihuoma. Other newly ordained deacons include Revs. Terence Obinna Okoro, Franklin Amadikwa, Noel Eze, Godwin Obasi, Chystogonus Onyekwere, and Stanley Eke.
