Don't Give Your Daughters For Marraige To None Catholics---Bishop Elect , Okoye Warns Catholics Says Ekwulobia Diocese Viable Considering 1.2 Million Catholics in Awka Diocese

Very Rev. Msgr. Jonas Benson Okoye is a priest of Awka Diocese; a native of Adazi Nnukwu, Anaocha L.G.A and the new auxiliary Bishop Elect, in this interview with Abuchi Onwumelu of odogwuemekaodogwu.com, Bishop Okoye speaks on the need for capable assistant to the incumbent Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor.

Excerpts :

Congrats our new Bishop Elect

Thank you very much Abuchi

Does Awka Diocese need an auxiliary Bishop?

I think we need an auxiliary Bishop considering the population of the Diocese which is about 1.7 million with our calculation; the faithful are about 800,000 people while the Diocese has more than 500 priests. You can now see the need for an auxiliary Bishop.

Would it not be better if we got a new Diocese?

Yea! New Diocese may come in but what is really necessary considering our density and population is an auxiliary Bishop even if we will have another Diocese it will depend on the Holy Father and not us.

What area would you prefer if a new Diocese were to be created out of Awka?

Ekwulobia/ Aguata,  Orumba or Adazi?

For now the Diocese is thinking and the incumbent Bishop is equally thinking that we have Ekwulobia Diocese.

As a juridical Vicar, what were the problems you noticed especially in sustaining marriage and family?

 I must say it is lack of understanding of the word marriage; some people go into marriage as a result of poverty. Some are pushed to it by their parents without taken into consideration
the key component of marriage which is love. They will go because he/she is
endowed with material things and once there is a financial stress, the marriage
will crumble. Most importantly, lack of attention to the girl-child who at the
end of the day gets married to someone she didn’t love.

Do you think that priests give enough attention to marriage catechesis?

To be frank with you, a lot need to be done. In my parish where I stay; I minister to the people about marriage instructions and within the cause of the marriage I have seen a situation
whereby people decided to wed maybe through the marriage instruction noticed
that something was wrong with both of them settling as husband and wife.

What would you like to improve in the way marriage instruction is given in Diocese of Awka?

I want the priests in the first place to make out time to teach the intending couple about the essence of marriage. I really want them to be committed in the teaching of marriage instruction which I know will go a long way in shaping their mindset and equip them properly for the task ahead. Prospective couple should make out time too to attend seminar to enable them stand the test of time especially during financial crisis.
 
How would you tackle the mix marriage issue in Igbo land and as well reception of the sacrament of Holy Communion by parents?

Reception of sacrament should be purely for committed Catholic parents, those that are devoted in its teaching and will inculcate same to their daughters. The details of the canon from canon eleven to 24 and 27 said that parents should not give out their children to non practicing Catholics. If you believe that you are in the right orthodox place you will never wish your children to get married to a non Catholic.

The law even places caveat on that because sometime a man will wed a girl in a Catholic church and will promise her that she will be allowed to practice her faith but you will find out that after the wedding the man will change maybe due to what
his friends and relative will tell him. He will carve in to pressure and will
now turn and make the wife to denounce her Catholic faith.

Concerning your relationship with the incumbent, do you think the Diocese is going in the right direction or do you wish of change of direction? What would you wish to change or modify?

Of course, you and I have been in this Diocese together, the Diocese has recorded a tremendous growth under the watchful eyes of the incumbent. The way the Bishop is piloting the affairs of the Diocese is quite normal and he needs to be commended for that. He has transformed the Diocese in so many ways. I do not think there could be any change rather I will simply say that the Diocese will continue to grow from strength to strength. In fact, Bishop Ezeokafor is a perfectionist; he knows
what he is doing. We are only here to support and encourage him.
 
What is your message to the people of Awka Diocese and by extension Nigerians?

In this era of Boko Haram, kidnapping, insecurity here and there; difficulty here and there, my principal message for them is that they should go back to that famous document of the 2nd Vatican Council. Our pastoral message demands that joy and hope should be shared. I want them to know that so long there is life there is hope.

Once more congratulations!

Remain blessed