Catholic Faithful in Nigeria Urged to Support the Church with their Wealth

Catholic News Service of Nigeria (CNSN) || 23 February 2016

Catholic lay faithful, especially the rich, have been called upon to enhance their vocation by supporting the Church in the provision of structures and other essential facilities that will facilitate the evangelization apostolate of the Church.

The call was made by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, during the first Sod Turning ceremonies of the new Church of St Gabriel Catholic Church Chaplaincy, CSN, Durumi, Abuja; and the CBCN 120 Bedroom Guest House. The ceremonies which was witnessed by most of the members of the Bishops’ Conference, took place at the premises of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.

Acknowledging the good gesture of the benefactor of the Chaplaincy, Sir  Dr. Obiorah Okonkwo KSJI, for offering to build the new Church, Archbishop Kaigama noted that, rich Catholics should give gratitude to God with their wealth by supporting the apostolate of the Church in areas of providing structures and infrastructures that will enhance her mission; as well as reaching out to the poor through the various social services programmes of the Church.

Noting that it is a great day of delight for the bishop to witness the good things happening at the Secretariat, the CBCN President stated that change is possible in Nigeria through spiritual rebirth. The CBCN President, while thanking the benefactor, prayed for God’s blessings on him and his family and urged him not to relent in continually giving thanks to God for His mercies and blessings.

Speaking in the same vein, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan called on all rich Catholics to emulate the good gesture Sir Obiorah Okonkwo  and use their wealth to support the Church in her areas of needs to enhance her evangelization apostolate. He also called for support for the Church’s university, Veritas University by groups, societies and individuals, citing the building of the Chapel at the university by the Knights of St Mulumba.

Speaking at the occasion, the chaplaincy benefactor, Sr. Obiorah Okonkwo expressed gratitude to the bishops for granting his request to build the church as a sign of his appreciation for the goodness and blessing of God on him and his family. He noted that his decision to build the church was prompted by an inspiration to express his gratitude to God; without the prompting of any person. He assured that the project will be completed and handed over to the secretariat, within the stipulated duration.

In his welcome address, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and Chaplain of St Gabriel Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, stated that the sod turning ceremonies are not only historic but also unique and a clear indication that the ministry of the Catholic Secretariat is progressing, both spiritually and pastorally. He expressed the gratitude of the staff of the secretariat and the parishioners of the chaplaincy to the bishops for their support and the benefactor, for offering to build a befitting worshiping edifice for the faithful.

The Metropolitan of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan performed the sod turning  for the new Church building, while Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama performed the sod turning for the building of the CBCN Guest House which is a joint project of both the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN). Also, Bishop Lucius  Ugorji, CBCN Episcopal Chairman for Society and Society department and CCFN, performed the ceremony for the building of a Library and blocks of offices for CCFN and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

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