A Catholic family in the Ugwu-Awgbu community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has dedicated its church, St. Patrick’s Parish Ugwu-Awgbu, which has been under construction for 29 years.
The dedication ceremony, tagged the “Rebirth of St. Patrick’s Parish Ugwu-Awgbu,” took place at the church premises on Sunday.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, urged members of the church to use the new edifice to promote peace, unity, and oneness among other denominations in the area.
Bishop Ezeokafor commended the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), Holy Childhood, and especially the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for making the holy dream a reality after 29 years of struggle.
The State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, in his brief remarks, said the newly dedicated Catholic church was part of his administration’s Public, Private, and Community Partnership agenda to ensure even development across the state’s 179 communities.
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The governor called for increased partnership with the church to help sustain his administration’s transformation policies.
Soludo was represented at the ceremony by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Nnama Ezeajughi.
In their separate addresses, the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Romanus Chukwuemeka Ezeisi, and the 1st Vice Chairman of PPC, Hon. Charles Nwajagu, while thanking God Almighty for His endless mercy and compassion for making the dream of the St. Patrick’s Catholic community come true, noted that the church building project began as far back as 1995.
They also extended their appreciation to Rev. Fr. Hillary Nwajagu, Chief Sunday Nwajagu, Chief Ben Ezeibe, the Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi, Chief Mrs. Fedelia Ego Okoli, Chief Oliver Ben Okoli, Chief Dons Igboanugo, and other donors for their various contributions to the success of the project.
Other members of the church who spoke about the new development, including Barr. Joe Ezeibe, Mr. Clement Ifeanyichukwu, Comrade Maduka Ezeegonyeche, Mr. Ositadinma Obieke, Mazi Afamefuna Ezelube, Mr./Mrs. Jude Ike, and Mr./Mrs. Ogochukwu Okoye, promised to continue to spread God’s goodness through the church.
