Anglican Bishop of Ihiala diocese, Anambra state, Right Reverend Prof Israel ‘Kelue Okoye 2017 synod at the Cathedral of St Silas, Ihiala

 Anglican Bishop of Ihiala diocese, Anambra state, Right Reverend Prof Israel ‘Kelue Okoye, stated this  below in his Presidential Address/Charge during the First session of the Third Synod at the Cathedral Church of St. Silas, Ihiala with theme ‘’Whom shall I send, and who will go for us’ (Isaiah 6:8).

November 18th, 2017 Anambra state Governorship election

‘’while looking forward to a peaceful, fraud free democratic elections, some of the futures of the electioneering campaign. They suggest that we have not grown above the discredited political malaise of the past’.

‘’…..the ongoing electioneering campaign in Anambra state has not passed the test of issue based politics. It is fraught with desperation, uncivilized attack on persons , hiring of crowds who do not know the issues at stake to market a deceitful impression of political support, politicizing of religion and other social configurations, etc.

‘’There are rumours’ of plans to manipulate the election results and the recruitment of some youths that would that would militarily force the electoral wheel to move in a defined direction. That should not be allowed. We urge Anambra state politicians , their political parties and supporters to be issue based, decorous and law abiding. They must avoid accentuating divisive factors in the state, promoting hatred because of their desire to capture power by all means. They must be mindful of the fact that they are ultimately answerable to God who is the Judge of the living and the dead (1 Peter 4: 5).

‘’The security situation in Anambra state is highly commendable. We need to sustain it as we continue with the electoral process in order to exercise our voting right in a peaceful environment.

‘’We cannot afford a Governor who would emerge on the basis of a stolen mandate. We need a Governor duly elected by the people in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and electoral laws. We need a governor that will be God’s instrument in ensuring a sustainable development of the state.

Ozubulu Church Massacre

‘’we hope that the report of the investigation will not be buried with the dead. We, therefore call on the Nigeria Police Force to disclose to disclose their findings and the actions being taken by the government on the issue. Furthermore, there should be no room for any delay or skewed interest in the investigation. God is watching!

Anglican Bishop of Ihiala diocese, Anambra state, Right Reverend Prof Israel ‘Kelue Okoye, stated this in his Presidential Address/Charge during the First session of the Third Synod at the Cathedral Church of St. Silas, Ihiala with theme ‘’Whom shall I send, and who will go for us’ (Isaiah 6:8).

The 4 day synod which was the first for Bishop Okoye as Bishop of Ihiala, had in attendance his wife Dr Mrs Faith Ogechukwu Okoye , President of Mothers’ union , Women Guild and Girls Guild, diocese of Ihiala, immediate past Bishop and wife, Right Reverend Ralp Okafor and Engr Mrs Chinyere Okafor , the Diocesan Chancellor, Barr Chidi Ilogu, SAN, the Registrar , Barr Edmund Obiagwu , other Bishops of diocese on the Niger Owen Nwokolo and Ogbaru , Ezeoffor among others.

Bishop Okoye,  a distinguished Professor of Political Science with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and former General Secretary of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion presented 111 pages charge to the public with special thanks to Archbishop , Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria , the Most Reverend Nicholas Dikeriehi Okoh inestimable care and exposure and robust mentorship and wife Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh , a model Christian mother; Right Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim , PhD and Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim for a memorable consecration as well as Most Reverend M.S.C Anikwenwa and wife, Nnediogo for nurturing them to mention but a few.

Bishop Okoye said his unscheduled episcopal visits to all the Churches in the diocese in his first two months of episcopacy was an eye opener and it afforded them first-hand information on what was on ground  and the needs of the Church.

Denominationalism

‘’An overwhelming number of the people of Anambra state claim to be Christians. In practice, they belong to different Christian denominations.

‘’The Profession of faith in Jesus Christ demands that one would prove himself or herself a worthy disciple of Jesus Christ. The claim to be a Christian does not make one a Christian. Such a claim may in  fact be an expression of one’s wish.

‘’……the best way to showcase one’s Christian denomination is to conduct oneself in such a way that others will see the light of Jesus Christ radiating through the person. This is biblical posture.

‘’Unfortnately, denominationalism in Anmabra state has been turned into a divisive force that engenders suspicion , hatred , skewed distribution of resources, marginalisation, and other vices that have no place in biblical Christianity.

‘’The situation is worsened by some religious leaders who feed their members with counsels and messages that are irritating to Christian conscience.

‘’It is incontrovertible that some highly respected individuals looked upon as Christian leaders are by inculcation in their members , divisiveness stereotyped negative image of others to their whims and caprices, proved themselves agents of destabilization and instruments for the population of hell.

‘’The politicization of Christianity and leading Church members in the direction of perdition is not the fruit of anyone whose anointing is of God. The Bible remains the final authority teaching and leading people unto salvation. We need to be mindful of the fact that ……’’we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ , so that each one may receive good or evil , according to what he has done in the body’ (2 Corinthians 5:10).   

He said the Church would reposition the poultry farm and embark on expansion of the diocesan business ventures by establishing new business to generate finance for needs of the Church even as he asked for support to actualize that. He added that the diocese now has a constitution guiding its synod and other activities of the Church. He said SAN’s have been hired with other lawyers to restore all coveted property of the Church no matter who is involved since God is God of justice.

His episcopacy, Bishop Okoye said is focused on catching children young through the Children ministry and the Youth ministry even as he informed that the diocese has embarked on some projects which needed support including diocesan guest house/ temporary Bishop’s residence.

Bishop Okoye has banned hiring of commercial musicians to perform in Church programmes in the diocese , regretting that they perform per night at costs higher than the monthly take home of some clergymen, appealing that rather talented church members should be trained and encouraged to perform in Church events, warning that the Church is not an industry. 

The Ihiala Anglican Bishop frowned at the pitiable situation of Paul University Awka caused by lukewarm attitude of its ownership member dioceses wondering if the Anglican Communion has lost the will and commitment to work together as a communion to move its institutions forward, describing it as a negation of the stand of the Anglican Communion. The same faith he said is happening to other Anglican owned tertiary institutions.

The Sunday Guest preacher was Right Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD even as all the political parties and their candidates were represented at the synod.

Reported by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu