…as Ogbunike Catholic community organizes grand reception

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA—The Prelate emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Vatican City, His Eminence, Cardinal Francis Arinze on Sunday eulogized the newly consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Denis Chidi Isizoh for his appointment as a Bishop, by the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis.

Others who also eulogized Bishop Isizoh at a grand reception accorded him at the St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state, his home town during his first mass as a Bishop, following his episcopal consecration at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity on Friday, May 1, were the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke; second indigenous catholic priest from Ogbunike, Rev Fr. Dr. Celestine Chigbo and Hon Vivian Okadigbo, the re-elected member   representing Oyi state Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly.

In their separate speeches, Cardinal Arinze, Archbishop Okeke, Rev. Fr. Chigbo and Hon. Okadigbo described Isizoh as the right person chosen by God and Pope Francis to assist Archbishop Okeke as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese and urged him not to be tired of working in the Lord’s Vineyard.

Earlier in his homily, Bishop Isizoh had thanked God and the Pope for finding him worthy to be consecrated as a Bishop to assist Archbishop Okeke in piloting the affairs of the Archdiocese.

He therefore urged all and sundry to continue to pray for him to succeed in doing the job to the satisfaction of God and humanity, adding that on his own part, he would continue to pray ceaselessly for God mercy, guidance and protection.

Okadigbo, in her own speech, thanked her constituency for re-electing her for a second tenure in the state assembly, adding that education and employment would be her priorities in the five communities that make up her constituency.

Fr. Chigbo who was chairman of the reception organizing committee, expressed gratitude to God for choosing Isizoh, one of the indigenous priests from Ogbunike community as a Bishop, adding that as an official of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Vatican City, Isizoh would bring his wealth of experience to propagate the Gospel in the Archdiocese in general and his base in Aguleri from where he would superintend six regions within the Archdiocese.