By Odogwu EmekaOdogwu, Awka
TheArchbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, and Bishop of Awka Diocese,His Grace, Most Revd. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has called on priests topromote the kingdom of God through their exemplary living.
He noted withdismay that many priests, as shepherds, have misled flocks under their care,thereby, compromising the standard of the church.
The prelatemade the call yesterday, in his sermon during a Trinity deaconate ordination atSt. Peter’s Anglican Church, Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area ofAnambra State.
“As priests,you are called upon to lead by example. The faithful look up to you forguidance. When you fail, the Church would have failed, and the sheep under yourcare will go astray. Therefore, let your words and actions be such that willshine as light unto darkness.
“But when youcompromise on the standard of the church, you have failed completely, because,those that look up to you will be demoralized in doing good. Failure of thefamily and the political leadership is as a result of collapse in the moralstandard of the individuals and institutions whose responsibility it is to showthe example. I charge you, therefore, to be good examples that you are calledupon to be,” he said.
ArchbishopIbezim further called on the newly ordained deacons to look unto Christ as theauthor and finisher of their faiths, as well as the example and standard theymust emulate, instead of pursuing vanities.
“As priests,your duty in the church is to populate heaven and depopulate hell. Therefore,in anything you do, you must be constantly reminded of this duty,” he said.
Alsospeaking, President of the Mothers Union, Women Guild, and Girls GuildProvince of the Niger, Mrs Martha Ibezim, called on the wives of the newdeacons and wives of priests in general, to support their husbands in promotingthe works of the kingdom.
“Just as thepriests are called to provide good leadership in the church, wives of theclergies are also called to be pillars that support their husbands in theironerous task of providing this good leadership. No clergy can effectively dothe work of the church alone, without the supportive role of the wife,” shesaid.
Speaking onbehalf of others, one of the newly ordained deacons, Echezona ChizualumIfechelobi, thanked the church and the archbishop for elevating them to thatheight, while also assuring of their readiness to lead by example.
Speaking tonewsmen after the ordination service, the Vicar of St. Peter’s Anglican Church,Amawbia, Rev. Chris Ogbodo, said it was the first time ordination service washeld in the church. He thanked Archbishop Ibezim for making the event possible;while also calling on the newly ordained deacons to keep the light shining.
