Communicating Life, Truth and Love In Our Encounters

A small-note address to the Communication Directors – Diocesan and Congregational – at the Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Owerri Tuesday 1st April 2014   Multi-Level Encounters The concept of encounter in your meeting as Communication Directors in the Catholic Church is a very rich, dynamic and challenging one. Your meeting is indeed an encounter of believers in Christ and experts in Communications who seek to use your Catholic Faith and specialized knowledge in Communications science and technology to evangelize and humanize the many levels of human encounter in our daily lives, church life, social life, public life and global life, unto more peaceful and enriching stances.   1.    The Africa-Europe-America Encounter I mention this encounter first…

Women advised to check rising immorality in Imo as Maria Assumpta Parish celebrates Mothers’ day

Activities marking the 2014 Mother’s Day at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Parish Owerri ended with the launching of CWO Revised Directory and Fund-raising for the completion of CWO House project and purchase of a coaster bus. In his homily during the Pontifical concelebrated Mass, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna warned on what he called “spiritual and moral blindness” and discrimination based social status.  He was assisted at the Mass by the Administrator, Fr. Andrew Nkwocha and Fr. Anumudu. Reflecting on the gospel of the day, about a man who had been blind from birth, Archbishop Obinna said that lust, beauty or handsomeness can make man blind while wealth, power and high social…

Archbishop Obinna lays foundation stone of Annunciation Catholic Centre

The Foundation Stone of the permanent building of Church of Annunciation Umuguma in Owerri West LGA, Imo State has been laid. His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri who laid the Foundation Stone on Thursday, April 3, 2014 also blessed the newly completed Marian Grotto and Chapel at the occasion. The prelate who commended both the priest, Christ faithful as well as the council, saying: “We are co-workers with God charged to carry out his work in humility”. In his homily at the end of the readings, Archbishop Obinna recalled how French and Irish missionaries brought the gospel of Christ to Igboland amidst a lot of hardship.  He enjoined present day…

Archbishop Obinna admonishes Knights – As KSM PH holds retreat in Owerri

The Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, Stella Maris  Sub-Council Port Harcourt have ended their 2014 Retreat at Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Owerri which lasted from Friday March 28 to Sunday, March 30, 2014. According to the Sub-Council, the purpose of the retreat was to enhance the spiritual growth of the members especially during the Lenten period. The Lenten retreat theme was: “Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength” (Isaiah 40:31).  The retreat was graced by Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri. In his Lecture: “Remain with God for life”, Archbishop Obinna harped on the need to stop same-sex union. The Archbishop said that Knights and Ladies of the Church…

National Conference: Look beyond Religion …Archbishop Obinna

Nigerian Christians and Muslims must look beyond religion and focus on the common good, if the country will move forward. They must concentrate on shared values and uphold that which is capable of lifting up the nation. Archbishop Anthony Obinna made this call while addressing communication directors at the Assumpta Pastoral Centre Owerri April. He emphasized  that if the practitioners of both religions should work concertedly on common good issues that would benefit the nation, without forcing Islam or Christianity into dynamics, “we might end up with a humanizing Islam and a humanizing Christianity without thereby evacuating their more spiritual – doctrinal aspects.” The Catholic Archbishop  of Owerri  explained that Muslim – Christian encounter was…

Plan underway for Catholic University …In Owerri Archdiocese

There are strong indications that the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri is planning to establish a Catholic University within its area of jurisdiction to be known as “Assumpta University”. This fact was in an address delivered on Saturday March 22, 2014 to members of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Pastoral Council at Obiri Odenigbo, Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri by His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri. According to the chief shepherd, “in the light of the increased number of Catholic primary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese (200 now), turning out potential candidates for the university, the need to have a Catholic University, “Assumpta University” has been pushing itself up”. The prelate…

St. Patrick Okwu Uratta Marks Feast of Patron

…recognize presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament Parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church Okwu Uratta, in  Owerri North LGA, on Sunday, March 23, 2014, celebrated this year’s feast of their Patron Saint, St. Patrick and one year of attainment of parish status. It would be recalled that each year, the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17 is celebrated with much joy in the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, in appreciation of the role the saint played in converting from paganism to Christianity, the Irish people, who later brought the gospel of Christ to Igboland. Very Rev. Msgr. Kevin Akagha, Rector Spiritual Year Seminary Ogbaku and Director of Vocations in the Archdiocese, who represented the Most Rev….

Students’ Cohabitation, Church raises Alarm

It is simply unacceptable!  Male and female undergraduate students are living together and sharing rooms in privately owned University accommodations. Many observers say it is not a problem of shortage of hostels but perhaps a fast increasing sense of a permissive culture that is destroying the moral fabric of our society. Living on the same floor of the same building and using the same toilets and bathrooms surely stokes the embers of sexual immorality. Information that this ugly situation is occurring at different private accommodations built for Imo State University students and their peers in other tertiary institutions, has filtered into the ears of the church. His Grace, the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony…

Archbishop Obinna donates Laboratory Equipment to Mission Hospital Ngugo

In fulfilment of his promise during his last pastoral visit to St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Ngugo Obaire, Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State, the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev Anthony J.V.Obinna has donated laboratory equipment to Mission Hospital, Ngugo. The equipment which include biological microscope, laboratory incubator, autoclave, genotype machine, microhaematocrit centrifuge and reader, centrifuge bucket, refrigerator and others, all brand new, were received by the Hospital Director, Rev Fr. Chimaraoke Offurum last week. With these equipment, the facility can now run microbiology, haematology and other chemistry tests. In making the donation, the Prelate lamented the failure of governments at different levels towards supporting non-governmental initiatives at the grassroots and pointed out that in developed…

Archbishop Obinna inaugurates St. James Ubomiri, Confirms 353 candidates

St. James Catholic Parish Amawuhie-Ubomiri in Mbaitoli LGA, has been inaugurated by His Grace, Most Rev. A.J.V. Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Sunday, February 9, 2014 amidst pomp and pageantry. The two-day pastoral visit which began with the arrival of the Archbishop witnessed a tumultuous crowd who gathered at Akwakuma junction to welcome the chief shepherd. Arriving the parish, the prelate had an interactive forum with the parishioners and ended it with Benediction. The event’s grand finale on the following day started with a solemn Eucharistic celebration where the chief shepherd formally installed  Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ogazi as the pioneer parish priest, swore in the Parish Pastoral Council and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation…

Adultery adulterates marriage – Archbishop Obinna warns

Catholic couples have been warned that adulterous relationship defiles marriage and lowers its taste. The Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri gave the warning at the investiture of 300 Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba held at Mount Carmel Catholic Church Emekuku, Owerri, February 28. In his homily at the investiture Mass, Archbishop Obinna said that marriage was a major qualification for knighthood as Catholics who are not married are not qualified for initiation into the Order. Reflecting on the Readings, the prelate warned that adultery is adulteration, explaining that when one commits adultery, one lowers the esteem between one and one’s husband and vice-versa. He advised knights and ladies to be steadfast…

KSM, Owerri Metro elevates 300 to 3rd Degree

The Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri has commended Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, for their unflinching support to the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria. Archbishop Obinna gave the commendation during a Pontifical Mass preceding the 3rd Degree investiture of 300 Knights and their Ladies at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church Emekuku, Owerri, February 28. He recalled several instances in which Knights of St. Mulumba proved in word and action that they are true defenders of the faith. In his sermon, Archbishop Obinna said true investiture is about clothing, it is not so much about external clothing; but an invitation to effective and moral beauty. The prelate however reminded the investees…

Archbishop Obinna extols Prof. Jude Njoku

The 2014 Annual Education Week organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri with the theme- “Catholic Education in Owerri Archdiocese, Reviewing for Refinement,” has colourfully come to an end last weekend with the commemoration of St. Valentine’s day. In a holy Mass well attended by students drawn from all the nursery, primary and secondary schools under Owerri Archdiocesan Education Commission, at Assumpta Cathedral, the officiating prelate, Archbishop Anthony Valentine Obinna admonished church faithful to let agape love lead, describing Valentine day as a day for showing care to the needy and not for indulgence in immorality as characterized by nowadays celebrants. The Archbishop in his usual manner ceased the opportunity to advice the students on…

Your Excellency put our people to work – Archbishop Obinna tells President Jonathan

The Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinnna, has identified jobs creation as the number one priority in ImoState. In a brief message prepared for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during his visit to the state, the Archbishop emphasized that jobs would come through the provision of industrial and commercial projects. He worried about the teeming population of unemployed graduates in the state and appealed to the President to give job creation some more attention. “Since Imo State is part and parcel of Nigeria, I pray that you continue to give attention to and make provision for industrial and commercial projects that would help employ more and more of the many graduates and…

Owerri Archdiocese concludes Education Week – As Prof Njoku advises Imo Govt to assist mission schools

Activities marking the 2014 Education Week of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri were rounded off on Sunday, Feb, 16 with Thanksgiving Mass in all parishes in the Archdiocese. However, the grandfinale took place on Friday, February 14 at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri. It coincided with the Feast of Valentine. The Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri. He was assisted by the Vicar-General, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ibole, the Chancellor/Secretary of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Oha, the Director of Education, Rev. Fr. Victor Eleba and other priest members of the Archdiocesan Education Board. In his sermon, Archbishop Obinna reflected both on the Education Week and the Feast…

Archbishop Visits Christ The King Secondary School, Obike

History was made on Saturday, 15th February 2014 when His Grace, Most Rev Anthony Obinna came to our school, Christ the King Secondary School, Obike on Pastoral Visit. It was historical because no Student here ever witnessed such visit to our school before, which we understand happened over eight years ago. Arrival His Grace was met at the bridge by staff and students and he walked with us across the bridge. He was enraptured by the purity of the Ogochia stream, which flows from Umuowere in NguruNgor-Okpala, through Obike to Umuaturu in Etche. He was, however, confronted by angry villagers from Obike who said he has not done much to help them despite their good…

Archbishop Obinna ordains nine deacons

Friends and families gathered to celebrate with their sons, friends and brothers who were ordained deacons on February 8, 2014 by His Grace Archbishop A.J.V. Obinna at Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.   Delivering his homily, the Archbishop who presided over the ordination Mass said that “we are all children of God redeemed by the Blood of Christ”.   He established that the Sacrament received during baptism bestows on faithful the light of salvation that gives sanctifying grace, so also does Communion bring forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.   According to him, the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation must be received in order to…

Archbishop Obinna visits Eke-ukwu Owerri

Ekeukwu Owerri experienced serenity from its usual hustle and bustle on February 6, 2014, as Archbishop A.J.V. Obinna visited the market. Prior to his entrance into the market, His Grace was received at St. Paul’s Catholic Parish by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Cyril Akalonu, including members of Chigozie Shopping Complex led by their Chairman, Bro. Abuchi Iwuajoku. The Archbishop proceeded into the market where he was welcomed by the Owerri Main Market Amalgamated Traders Association (OMMATA) Caretaker Chairman, Chief Leo Ajoku among other officials. Inside the market, Archbishop Obinna made a brief stop at Chigozie Shopping Complex where he prayed for God’s blessings before moving to Amarachi Square to preside over the Holy Mass…

Education in Nigeria is suffering from haemorrhage – Archbishop Obinna

– As Catholic education directors meet in Owerri The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Directors/Secretaries of Education (NACDDEN) converged at the Assumpta Pastoral Centre Owerri, for a five-day seminar with the theme: Leadership and Management in Catholic Schools, Criteria for Success.  The seminar which began on Monday, February 3 was rounded off on Friday, February 7. Speaking shortly after an opening Mass for the event, February 4, Most Rev. A.J.V. Obinna, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri and the chief host of the event said that education in Nigeria is suffering from hemorrhage. The Archbishop said “as a Nigerian who grew up and started my educational career in Nigeria, I have watched with disillusionment how anti-intellectual…

Govt. celebrates Imo at 38

How to move the state forward – Fr. Nkwocha The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his wife Nkechi and members of the State Executive Council stormed the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Sunday, February 2, 2014 to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the creation of Imo State. Imo, with six others, was created on February 3, 1976 by the late Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed The anniversary Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Andrew Nkwocha, the Administrator of the Cathedral, who represented the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, who was attending an already scheduled pastoral visit. In his sermon, Fr. Nkwocha said the day was special not only to the…