Bishop Ezeokafor Dedicates St. Paul's Catholic Church Achalla BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA

Most Reverend Paulinus Ezekafor

The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor on 26, July, 2015 dedicated the newly renovated St. Paul's Catholic Church, Achalla, Awka North Council Area of Anambra State, to God, with a call on the parishioners to henceforth desist from using the magnificent edifice as a meeting venue.

He said immediately after the dedication that any activities that was not of God should be discouraged. Bishop Ezeokafor who was highly elated with the level of work done in the parish extolled Achalla Catholic community for their magnanimity and contributions towards the completion of the project.

The Chief Shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese, while commending Achalla Catholic Community, singled out the Dean Ebenebe Deanery/ Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Damian Nwankwo for special praise. He said Rev. Fr. Damian Nwankwo had a way of achieving the unthinkable noting that St. Paul's parish was the  second Church after St. Francis's Catholic Church, Enugwu/Ukwu, Njikoka LGA he (Fr. Damian ) was dedicating even as he jokingly said he would take him away from St. Paul's to another parish for another round of dedication.

In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor called on Christians not to be distracted with the flashy things of this world but should work for their salvation. He said 'The Gospel centered on Faith..not Faith as we know it ..but as it ought to be,' he said.

According to Bishop Ezeokafor, 'Let our Faith be an optimistic and a possibility faith; not a pessimistic, carnal and materialistic faith..believing in God as well as working toward achieving our goals,without having to involve fanaticism, because he that made us, made us whole; with intelligence and insight..we need only to ask for his guidance,' the man God said.

In a remark, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Damian Nwankwo, expressed gratitude to God for His grace and protection noting that if not God their efforts would have been a wasted one. He thanked the Bishop for his visit even as he noted that his frequent monitoring and guidance helped made the project a success.

Those in Bishop Ezeokafor's entourage included: the Awka Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Chudi Akaenyi; Bishop's Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo; Dean of Awka Deanery/ Cathedral administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Amobi Chukwuma; Deputy Director Fides Communications, Very Rev Fr Dr. Matthew Attansey and Chief Sir (Dr) & Lady Charles Omalu ( Ogbuagadagidi) among othe