No fewer than 40 Catholic Bishops and 280 Priests would attend the Nsukka Diocese triple celebration of silver jubilee of the diocese and silver and golden jubilee of the Diocesan Bishop emeritus and priestly ordination of Most Rev. Dr Francis Okobo slated to hold on January 29, 2016 at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.
The director of social communications, Nsukka Catholic diocese, Fr. Chuma Nnamene disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard last Sunday, explaining that the triple celebrations would equally mark 25 years of the creation of the diocese from Enugu Catholic diocese.
He noted that the diocese has received approval for 40 Catholic Bishops and 280 Priests that would grace the January tripple celebrations, pointing out that the diocese would use the occasion to celebrate the Bishop emeritus’ 25 years as the first Bishop of the diocese, as well as his 50 years of priestly ordination in the Catholic Christendom.
“Also expected at the triple celebrations of the diocese are Enugu state governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, other governors in the south east geo-political zone, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Chuka Utazi representing Enugu senatorial zone; other members of the national assembly; 17 local government council care-taker chairmen in Enugu state; directors-general both at the federal and state levels and commissioners in the state government.
“Looking at the diocese 25 years ago, one would confess that God has done marvellous things beyond human immagination in the diocese, as it took off as a full fledged diocese from cradle to its present stage. The triple celebration is to appreciate God for all the things He has done and continues to do for the diocese. The solemn moment is for the catholic faithfuls in Nsukka and beyond to celebrate special mass service in appreciation to what God has done in the diocese for the past 25 years of its creation.”
Fr. Nnaeme also said that arrangements for the triple celebration has been on for the past five months, shared to committees and sub-committee to ensure that nothing was lacking, mostly on security which adequate measures has been put in place to avert any unforeseen danger signal as highly placed citizens of the country are expected at the occasion.
He expressed happiness for God’s numerous blessings since the creation of the diocese 25 years ago, especially the ordination of Bishop Godfrey Onah who succeeded the bishop emeritus Rev Okobo on July 4, 2013.
It would be recalled that, Prof. Onah, until his ordination as the bishop of Nsukka diocese by Pope Francis as the successor of Bishop Okobo was the Vice-Rector of Pontifical Urban University Rome. (Vanguard)
