Auchi Diocese Mark 10th Anniversary

It was a gathering of Priests, Religious, lay faithful, friends, Sons and Daughters of Auchi Diocese at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi, as Catholic Diocese of Auchi was agog on the occasion of 10th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of the Bishop, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel G. Dunia and the formal inauguration of the Diocese.

Appreciating all present for coming to celebrate with the Diocese, the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel G. Dunia prayed God to continue to give to all the gift of faith, no matter the pressure, to enable the diocese succeed, noting that God had prepared consecrated men and women for the salvation of souls and prayed God to remove from His people whatever will deprive them from Him and enjoined all to remain committed to the service of God.

Continuing, the Bishop who commended all that have contributed towards the growth and development of the diocese in whatever way, solicited for continuous support and cooperation from all present towards the growth and development of the Diocese and announced the creation of four deaneries for effective grass root evangelization, adding that the deaneries are to further strengthen the relationship between lay faithful and priests. They include; Akoko-Edo with Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Bossey as the dean, Weppa Wano with Very Rev. Richard Enegbuma as dean. The third denary comprise Okpella, Uzairue, Auchi, South Ibie, Agbede and Awan clan with Very Rev. Fr. Mark Akhibi as dean, while Owan has Very Rev. Fr. Peter Ayala as dean.

Delivering the homily earlier, the parish priest of St. Paul Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Enow, who congratulated Bishop Dunia on his 10th Episcopal Ordination anniversary, thanked God for the life of the diocese for attaining ten years, adding that God is the centre of all the achievement in the diocese, as it was able to wade through storm, hence they should continue to count His blessings.

More, the homilist affirmed that the diocese has recorded giant strides in terms of personnel, urged all to re-examine their contributions towards the development of the diocese and harped on the need for all to look into liturgy, as it is the centre of catholic worship, adding that the church is committed to preaching the crucified Christ. He frowned at the attitude of some Christians who only preach the gospel of prosperity and enjoined faithful to deepen their faith as requested by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Further, Fr. Enow who also reiterated the importance of good leadership in any organization, thanked God for the leadership of Auchi Diocese, commended the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese for his quality leadership style and charged all the priests in the diocese to model their lives in accordance with Christ who died on the cross for the salvation of the world, while tasking them not be deterred by the critics emanating from those around them.

The Priest further pointed out that consecrated men and women of God reminds all of the love of Christ to mankind, stressing that they are bond to the service of Christ, adding that the lay faithful are also partakers of the love of Christ. Also, he urged them to remain dedicated to the service of God, as it will earn them more success in future and charged all present to shun materialism and follow the path of Christ that would lead them to righteousness.

Addressing all present, the Chairman of the occasion High Chief (Dr.) Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman DAAR Communication represented by the G.M Mr. Tony Akiotu, described Bishop Dunia as a perfect gentleman, true symbol of humility, dedicated man of God and appreciated him for the tremendous growth and development in the Diocese for the past ten years, stressing that DAAR communication is committed to promoting the idea of the Catholic church and pledged their continuous support for the Diocese.

Giving the vote of thanks, Very Rev. Fr. (Prof) John Onimhawo who commended the bishop for organizing the event, praised the priests, lay faithful and guests present for attending the occasion and thanked all who contributed towards the growth and development of the diocese and prayed God to replenish their purses.

Highpoint of the celebration was the decoration of Rev. Fr. Francis McGarth an Irish priest who was the former parish priest of Sacred Heart, Agenebode in 1974 with Edo State traditional attire and a thanksgiving procession by all present.

Some of the dignitaries present at the mass were Rev. (Dr.) Godspower Aguduta, who represented Delta State Governor and Mr. Vincent Ezewanjaku who represented Anambra State Governor. Others were Sir Johnson Arumemi, M.D Arik Air, Major Alimikhena among others.

Speaking shortly at the reception chaired by Sir Major Anabui, welcomed all present to the occasion, commended the Bishop for organizing the event and urged all present to continue to contribute to the growth of the diocese.

The event also featured the unveiling of a book on Auchi Diocese at ten, raffle draw for the anniversary in which Pius Sule from Igarra won the star prize of Kia Picanto car, cultural display among others.