The news of John Cardinal ‘s appointment by Pope Francis  as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, was received in Mbaise with wide ovation by both the clergy and the  lay  faithful.

The now former Administrator of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Theo Nwalo, summoned all the priests at the Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral — July 2013 to inform them of the latest development and for them to behold the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese.

Msgr. Nwalo later led the Apostolic Administrator and the diocesan clergy to the tomb of Bishop Victor Chikwe in the Cathedral where the Cardinal paid  respects to the late prelate.

The presbyterium  through their president, Rev. Fr. Austine Ben Ekechukwu, expressed joy over the appointment of Cardinal Onaiyekan as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese.  They noted that it was a sure sign that His Holiness Pope Francis cares for his flock in Ahiara Diocese.  They congratulated Cardinal Onaiyekan on his appointment and assured him of the support and co-operation of both the clergy and laity.

Before his departure on Thursday July 4 2013, the Cardinal  had ‘tete-a-tete with Ahiara Diocesan College of Consultors and celebrated Morning Mass in the Bishop’s chapel with priests working in the secretariat.

On Saturday, July 6, 2013, the Pastoral Council and executive of various sodalities were invited to the diocesan Secretariat where they were officially informed of the appointment of the Apostolic Administrator.  Like the clergy and religious in the diocese, they received it with joy and gratitude to God for His majestic intervention, adding that with God, nothing is impossible.

The officers promised on behalf of the lay faithful in the diocese, not to relent in their prayers until the final glory is attained.

John Cardinal Onayekan will visit the diocese again on July 18, 2013 and will stay awhile for some activities before returning to Abuja Archdiocese.

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