By Chinenye Dike
The spirit of unity and celebration filled the air as parishes in Agbani Deanery gathered at St. John Parish, Agbani, to mark this year’s Cathedraticum.
Led by the Dean of Agbani Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Zeowa Stanislaus Chinedu, the event welcomed guests including the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo.
Addressing the congregation, Bishop Obodo expressed gratitude to the people of Agbani Deanery for their participation in Cathedraticum, describing it as a celebration of the seat of Jesus Christ through the Bishop in the Diocese. He emphasized the importance of forgiveness and the distribution of gifts to the needy, echoing the spirit of Lent – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
In his homily, Bishop Obodo stressed the significance of forgiveness and faith in God, drawing parallels from biblical narratives. He urged the faithful to emulate the resilience of Shedrack, Mishac, and Abednego in the face of adversity, reminding them of the power of forgiveness and faith in overcoming challenges.
Reflecting on the day’s gospel, Bishop Obodo encouraged the congregation to forgive unconditionally, echoing Christ’s teaching of forgiveness seventy times seven. He emphasized the importance of reconciliation and urged against holding grudges, highlighting forgiveness as a path to Christlikeness.
In conclusion, Bishop Obodo reminded the faithful to avoid causing harm to their neighbors and to strive for harmony and understanding in their community.
As done annually, the faithful trouped out in their thousands to give in thanksgiving parish by parish and led by their priests. Prices were also given to parishes who came up top from the previous year’s Cathedraticum.
Indeed, the Cathedraticum in Agbani Deanery which of course begins the 2024 Cathedraticum in the diocese served as a moment of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal, reaffirming the bonds of faith and unity among the church.
Comment here