From Chidi Asonye, Umuahia
The Rt. Rev’d Geoffrey Obijuru Ibeabuchi, Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese has decried the spate of antisocial activities which is prevalent among the Nigerian youth.
In his message at St. Stephen’s cathedral, Umuahia, Abia State during the year 2020 DIOCESAN YOUTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Bishop Ibeabuchi frowned that most parents are not helping out to arrest the ugly development, rather through their actions encourage their children to perpetrate evil in the society.
He described theme of the event, “Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain” taken from 1 Timothy 6:6 as apt and time bound especially in this generation of greed, selfishness, corruption and quest for materialism without hard work.
“Sadly to note is that most of the youths in our time have been turned into armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, prostitutes, drunkards, fraudsters, homosexuals, lesbians, fornicators, occultic and the likes. This is contrary to the will of God for them.
Unfortunately, most parents and guardians encourage these ungodly, unholy, and sinful lifestyles attributing them to modernism and civilization. No matter the name you call sin, SIN IS SIN. Some of these hell fire bound youths might also be in our uniforms today, ready to dance and shake their bodies here today. Little wonder most of our youths are not committed to the things of God”, he said.
The Anglican Bishop acknowledged that the human race is in trying times with the dreaded coronavirus pandemic tagged COVID-19 ravaging the nations of the world, adding, “We have come to realize that we are nothing without God”.
Bishop Ibeabuchi said, “That we are alive to celebrate the Anglican Youth Fellowship Anniversary today in this Diocese is only by the mercies of God. Indeed, it has been a year of uncertainty and surprises. But in all things, our God has remained faithful.
It is clear to all according to Psalm 127: 3 that “… children are a heritage from the Lord… This includes the youths.
“It is worthy of note that the best time to serve God is during the youthful age. The Preacher in Eccl. 12: 1 says, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them.” Some of our parents and the elders who did not devote their youthful age for the service of God are already regretting it. Hence, you must maximise your life today for the service of God and His Church.
“As a Diocese/Church, we celebrate our youths on the 2nd Sunday in September annually. It is indeed a time to encourage, pray and give generously in support of the activities of our youths”.
He encouraged the congregation to always abide with the World Health Organization’s recommended precautions and protocols on COVID-19, bearing in mind that “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards a city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
