BY ABUCHI ONWUMELU
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most
Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor on Sunday at All Saints Parish, Awgbu Orumba
North Council Area of Anambra State went down memory lane on how he
fought the then dreaded Agwuaja Shrine and came out unscathed. This is
even as he said the destruction of the once revered deity increased
people's confidence and faith in God.
The Catholic prelate who stated this while fielding
questions from newsmen shortly after the concelebrated Eucharist
celebration to mark the Centenary Celebration of the Catholic Church in
Awgbu, said that singular feat endeared him to the people's heart.
The chief shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese, who was the
Parish Priest of All Saints Catholic Parish, Awgbu between 1985 and1989,
said he became popular immediately after destroying that shrine.
'I became the most sought after priest in Anambra at that
time. I kept receiving various invitation from various communities to
come and carry out similar exercise. It was a wonderful experience.
There was innermost joy within me. I must say, it was a serious fight. I
didn't do it on my own, God used me. People became afraid thinking I
would die after that. Even my Vicar then expressed and harboured such
fears,' recalled the bishop.
His words, 'The story of 100 years of Catholicism in Awgbu
will not be narrated without the people sparing a thought for me,
because of what I did during my time as the Parish Priest of All Saints
Catholic Church, Awgbu.
'There was this fearsome tree called Agwuaja Shrine, the
people dreaded it to the extent that no one speak of it in disdainful
manner. They so much believed that the shrine can hurt whoever that went
against it.
'When I came in there was no electricity in that area
because of fear of tampering with Agwuaja shrine. The Agwuaja tree stood
in the way of the Nigeria Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) officials.
They were asked to avoid the tree but I said "No".
'After undergoing some level of spiritual exercise I went
and brought a man from outside the community who came and uprooted the
tree. It was a serious fight. I stood my ground. The people were busy
saying that whoever that ventured into that land which Agwuaja tree was
situated will not live to tell the story. Some even said I will die at
end of it. With the help of God we were able to install electricity
after cutting down the Agwuaja tree. Today I am here,' Bishop Ezeokafor
stated.
'God used me to prove a point to the people of Awgbu and
environs. I prayed and prayed against external influences. Catholicism
has come to stay in Awgbu,' Bishop Ezeokafor narrated.
In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor, called on well to do
individuals to invest in the house of God, noting that genuine
philanthropy was the ultimate. Bishop Ezeokafor expressed gratitude to
God for His guidance and protection.
He urged them to always identify with things of God and as well shun neopaganism and lukewarmness.
Bishop Ezeokafor during the celebration blessed and
commissioned Rev. Frs' rectory, Chapel of Eucharist Adoration built by
Chief Chinedu Akwaka in the memory of his late father, Chief Paulinus
Akwaka.
Those in Bishop Ezeokafor's entourage included: Awka
Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Francis Chidume; Bishop's secretary, Rev.
Fr. Michael Muonwe; Awka Diocesan education secretary, Rev. Fr.
Sebastian Onuora; Awka Diocesan director of social communications, Rev.
Fr. Martin Anusi, among others.
Planting of centenary tree, cultural displays formed the highpoints of the occasion.
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