By Chinwendu Nnamani
It is customary for the Catholic faithful to gather as a unique family to show their heart-felt gratitude to their Bishop. This is in solidarity to the Bishop for the many pastoral assignments which he is engaged in the Diocese, to showcase their faithfulness, obedience and reaffirm their humble commitment to the teaching authority and leadership of the Bishop.
The Agbani deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu gathered in their numbers on the 9th of March, 2021 for the beginning of this year’s Cathedraticum of the Diocese.
His Lordship, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, the Bishop of Enugu Diocese who was the Chief celebrant, welcomed all the Priests, Religious and Lay faithful who came together to “witness this event that signifies the togetherness of the Diocese.” He thanked God in a special way for his mercies and protection through the happenings of the previous year, mentioning Covid-19 as a major one.
In his homily, he stressed the need for forgiveness as God forgives us as was seen from the story of the unforgiving servant in the Gospel of the day of Matt. 18:21-35.
“If not for God’s forgiveness, none will be worthy of his mercies, and if God in heaven can be merciful and forgiving towards terrible sinners, then we need to do same,” the Bishop said.
Bishop Onaga advised everyone gathered not to be like the servant in the Gospel who refused to forgive his fellow servant a little debt he owed him, after he was forgiven by his master of a bigger debt. He rather asked that we look unto Jesus Christ, who is forgiving both as God and man as he forgave those who crucified him on the cross.
His Lordship further urged the people of Agbani to desist from encroaching into the land of the Church as the lands are given to the church for development which will end up being for the benefit of the host community.
On a general note, Bishop Onaga advised people bereaved to make plans for the burial within the time given by the Diocese and stop seeking for extension and also for those in leadership positions in the church to desist from recalling all alleged debt owed by the dead and insisting the bereaved relative pays before the Church can bury the dead.
He equally advised every faithful in the church to endeavour to join any arm of the church that is meant for each faithful to ensure active participation in church activities.
His Lordship did not also forget to remind everyone to keep complying with the regulations of the Government against Covid-19.
He stressed the need for people to take health matters more seriously by enrolling in a health Insurance package from the Ndubuisi Health Insurance of the Diocese.
Finally, Bishop Callistus Onaga prayed for God’s protection on every member of the Deanery and the Diocese at large
He thanked the Dean of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Zeowa for organizing this year’s Agbani Deanery Cathedraticum and all other priests of the different parishes that make up the deanery for their cooperation towards the success of the day’s event.
As done annually, the 2021 Cathedraticum will be observed in all the 6 Deaneries in the Diocese.
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