Sunday, 20th November marked the end of the Church’s calendar (Ordinary time of the Year) and also the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. The Catholic Church in Nigeria marks the day with a Eucharistic procession to acclaim and proclaim Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
The annual event is a combined celebration of four parishes namely; Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu, Holy Rosary Catholic Parish Orlu, St. Peter’s Catholic Parish Amike and St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish Umudioka-Ukwu. The Eucharistic processions lead from the different parishes to Bishop Shanahan College Orlu where the final benediction is given.
While preaching the homily of the day at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu, Bishop Ukwuoma stated “on the last day of the Church’s liturgical year, it is only fitting that the Church ends the year with the celebration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The strategic placement of this celebration is a pointer to the place of Christ as the King and Master of all creation.”
Bishop Ukwuoma drew the attention of the faithful on the institution of the Solemnity of Christ the King. According to him, Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925 with his encyclical Quas primas (In the first) to respond to growing secularism and atheism. “Pope Pius XI recognized that attempting to ‘thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law’ out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. This solemnity reminds us that while governments come and go, Christ reigns as King forever” he said.
“Jesus is a king because he has a kingdom, but his kingdom is totally at odds with any display of power. Some people like to dominate others, abuse their power, and manipulate others. That has no place in Jesus’ kingdom. Those with power can unfortunately abuse their power in so many ways but Jesus was totally powerless on the cross; people said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God.” (Luke 23:35) The values in Jesus’ kingdom are service and humility. If we want to be great, we must be like children (Luke 18:17). We are to carry our cross after Jesus every day (Luke 14:27). There is no place for violence or retribution in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus is a king, but his kingdom is not of this world.”
“Jesus did not abuse power, and he is our model. Jesus, the humble king, is an example to those who abuse power that abuse of power has no place in Jesus’ kingdom. There is no envy or greed or lust for power in Jesus.”
“This feast is an invitation to all those who have power or authority of any kind to compare their use of power or authority with Jesus. Are they using their power to serve others or to manipulate? Are they using their power for the building up of a more just society? Are they using their power in any way that might cause pain to others or in a way that could help to alleviate pain? In the prayer Jesus taught us, we pray ‘thy kingdom come.’ Jesus has shown how to bring about that kingdom. We hope that nations and individuals will be humble enough to look at how Jesus used power and bring about the kingdom of God.”
“Today’s celebration is a call for those in government and places of authority to use their positions as leaders to serve and alleviate the pain and hardship of those who they have been called to serve. Leadership requires humility, commitment, service and availability. Leadership is not about wealth and power, but about compassion and service for the good of the masses. As a leader, you have been called to serve and not to be served or to amass wealth” Bishop Ukwuoma concluded.
ARCHBISHOP TASKS PROVINICAL JUDICIAL VICAR ON SPEEDY RESOLUTION OF MARRIAGE CASES :
As Rev. Fr. Don Steve Nnagha Emerges the leader of the Owerri provincial judicial vicars.
In his maiden meeting with the judicial vicar of the five suffragan dioceses and Archbishop in Owerri Ecclesiatical province, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri who doubles as president of the catholic Bishops’ conference of Nigeria {CBCN}, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugoji charges the judicial vicar in speedy judicial processes especially in marriage cases since a lot of family and marriage crisis are rocking the peace and stability of the society and church. He also directed the judicial vicar to up efficient Tribunal Libraries with the support of the Bishop in order to be abreast with the latest trend in jurisprudence.
Earliel in his presentation on behalf of the body of benchers, the leader of the group and judicial vicar of Orlu Diocese Very. Rev. Fr. Don Nnagha congratulated the Archbishop on his historic double appointment as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri and president of the Catholic Bishops’ conference of Nigeria and pledged the support and collaboration of the body of judicial vicars in the provincial and national assignments.
Present at meeting includes:
Very Rev. Fr. Jude Onyeakazi {Owerri}
Very Rev. Fr. Micheal Agbai {Okigwe}
Very Rev. Fr. Martin Elekwachi {Ahiara}
Very Rev. Fr. Peter Nwosu {Aba}
Very Rev. Fr. Peter Okafor Represented Msgr. Augustin Kalu {Umuahia}
The meeting took place at the Archbishop’s office, Catholic Secretariat Owerri
