Bishop Udogu Decries Increasing Wickedness, Idolatry In Igbo Land ; As Bishop Owen Nwokolo Collates Priests

 

Bishop of Afikpo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Paul Udogu has decried the increasing wickedness, idolatry and lack of   fear of God in Igbo land many years after the advent of Christianity.

Udogu stressed that there is urgent and compelling need for the re-evangelization of Igboland to escape the impending wrath of God.

Bishop Udogu spoke in Onitsha as a visiting Bishop during the collation of Ven. Obiora Uzochukwu as a Venerable and induction as the Sub-dean of All Saint Cathedral, Onitsha. Six Canons were also collated including Rev’ds Samuel Adoro

, LouisEzenwata;  Rufus Ezenwaka ; Goddy Iloka ; Ofoegbu Ozoekwe and Edison Okoroigwe.

 Bishop Udogu  went down memory lane , when  Late Bishop Ajayi  Crowther led a team of Church Missionary Society (CMS), and found out that the natives were neck-deep into human sacrifices, barbaric tradition, idolatry, wickedness in the form of slavery and immorality among other vices.

He lamented that after 157 years  of Christianity in Igbo land, said that wickedness and other forms of vices were still manifesting  in  the highest order in the form of kidnappings,  assassinations, and other forms violent crimes.

He said that the fear of God among the people is almost at the lowest ebb as kidnappers and other perpetuators of criminalities enter the church to  search and attack their victims.

The Bishop said that while these were going on, there was no serious attempt to restore core Igbo values, rather idolatory  in the name of cultural revival are on the increase.

He said if the tide must be stemmed , there is compelling need for the re-evangelization of Igbo land by churches especially the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and urged those who were collated to  to be in the vanguard of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in the area.

The Bishop on the Niger, Owen Nwokolo , said that the elevation of the  new Sub-dean to an Archdeacon and  some other priests was a call to service and  more commitment to their work, especially their pastoral duties, saying that those who are committed in the vine-yard of God are given bigger responsibilities  in form of promotion.

Bishop Nwokolo equally advised the church member’s o pray for their spiritual leaders as well as listen to their counsel so as to understand the mind of God.

The Sub-dean, Venerable Obiora Bernard Uzochukwu said that  his  elevation  was an opportunity to serve God with all his  determination  so as to meet up with  the high expectation of the people especially, the members of All Saints Cathedral   Onitsha.

He however promised that  by the grace of God, he will do his best to llift the spiritual lives of the  members of the Cathedral    as well as improve the physical condition of the Cathedral.