The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has condemned the “social media” attacks on the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt. Rev Callistus Onaga.
Bishop Onaga came under serious attack after he ordered the closure of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, from the followers Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the ministry.
But Pope Francis who was represented by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Antonio Filipazzi at the inauguration of new Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, decried growing divisive tendencies and other forms of trouble fomented by members of the church, stressing that these were lowering the growth of the family, education and economy, among others.
“I must warn the people of God against disobedience to the church’s constituted authorities. You must not take the laws into their hands as followers of Jesus Christ.
“This brings to mind the protest that took place at the Adoration Ministry Enugu. I was surprised to see an online video where a protester threatened to kill Bishop Callistus Onaga, Bishop of Enugu. This is unacceptable in the church of God.
“The people of God must be mindful of the abuse of the social media to cause the church scandals. You must bear in mind that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic and not a place where people take laws into their hands,” Filipazzi said.
He urged the faithful to be conscious of their relationship with their bishop and respect the laws of the church
At the inauguration of Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji held at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, on Thursday, the Nuncio In a homily, urged the Catholic clergy to always proclaim the undiluted gospel and stand by the doctrine of the church.
In his address, the new Archbishop of Owerri Catholic archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, called on those fueling insecurity in the state to cease fire.
Ugorji said that peace was the only way the state could develop.
He said, “Peace comes when people are free from oppression, unemployment, exploitation and injustice. The church will continue to partner with government in making the society better”.
Ugorji described the archbishop emeritus of the province, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, as an erudite, zealous and consummate missionary who made great sacrifices for the growth of the province and the church as a whole.
The archbishop submitted that Obinna left a shoe big enough for anyone to fit into, but maintained that he was coming to the headship of the province with his own ‘customized shoe’.
He pledged unalloyed loyalty to the church while calling for support and prayers from the clergy and the laity.
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said Obinna had a remarkable and eventful reign as the archbishop of the province and embarked on aggressive evangelism.
Uzodimma stated that much is expected of the new archbishop, especially at a time the nation is at crossroads and battling with insecurity.
The governor, however, expressed confidence in Ugorji’s educational exposure and vast experience, adding that he was most qualified for the job.
Uzodimma urged the new archbishop to be the voice of the voiceless and to always stand for truth and justice.
