Archbishop Isaac Nwaobia Ordains New Priests
…At St. Peter’s Cathedral, Owerrinta
It was a moment of joy and thanksgiving at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Owerrinta on Saturday, June 22, 2024 following the Trinity Ordination of Deacons and Priests by the Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Aba and Bishop, Diocese of Isiala Ngwa South (Anglican Communion), His Grace, The Most Rev. Isaac Chijioke Nwaobia, Ph.D, JP.
The Diaconate and Priesthood Ordination Service was so colourful and attracted the presence of the clergy, Anglican faithful, top government officials, captains of industry, traditional rulers and other distinguished personalities from far and near.
In his homily, Ven. Okike Osisiogu congratulated the ordinands on their successful admittance into priesthood.
He admonished them to be watchmen over God’s flock under their care and remain dedicated to their calling.
He prayed God to shower His blessings on them and give them the grace and unction to function effectively in His vineyard.
In his speech, His Grace, The Most Rev. Isaac Chijioke Nwaobia told the ordinands to remain faithful to their calling and see it as a privilege for greater service to God and humanity.
He charged them to lead God’s people with holiness and prepare them for the kingdom of God. He prayed for the grace of God to continually abide with them as they serve in His vineyard.
He urged members of the church to pray for them always and support them materially to be able to take care of themselves as well as their families.
On his part, Ven. Udobata Rufus Onunwa described the Trinity Ordination as a great privilege.
He commended the ordinands for choosing to dedicate their life to God and prayed for God to sustain and strengthen them to become effective in in their ministry.
He reminded them that ministerial work is not a bed of roses or an avenue to enrich themselves.
He admonished them not to be carried away by their ordination stressing that what is important is not the name they bear or office they occupy but the responsibility attached to it stressing that if they do their best God would exalt them and take care of their needs.
The ordination service was a huge success. It featured special prayers for the ordinands, thanksgiving among others.
In a chat with newsmen, HRM Eze O. J. Ananaba, the Okahia 1 of Okahia autonomous community in Obingwa local government area of Abia State congratulated one of the ordinands, Rev. Tochukwu Onuoha on his priestly ordination and advised him to remain committed to his calling.
The popular, handsome, eloquent and quintessential immediate past chairman, Obingwa Council of Traditional Rulers disclosed that he played a major role in the actualization of Rev. Tochukwu Onuoha’s dream of becoming a priest.
He expressed satisfaction that most of the ordinands attended his Alma Mater – the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) saying that the motto of the school, “To Restore the Dignity of Man” would help them to succeed in the ministry just like it has been guiding him all through his life.
He said that Rev. Tochukwu Onuoha’s service to God would not end here on earth only and prayed that God would also find him worthy to serve in heaven.
One of the ordinands, Rev. Henry Chizaram Reuben expressed profound gratitude to God for his successful ordination.
He restated his commitment to serve God wholeheartedly all the days of his life. He described his ordination as a calling, which was revealed to him right from his childhood.
He promised to serve God faithfully as well as to take care of the spiritual needs of those under his care.
Speaking, Rev. Chukwudi Benson Friday described his ordination as a covenant and dream come true.
He said that it as a stepping stone to higher spiritual attainments stressing that though the task is challenging, but by the grace of God he would depopulate the kingdom of darkness and populate the kingdom of God.
He promised to preach the Gospel of Christ without segregation and prayed that where there is no peace, God would use him to bring peace adding that he would continue to work with the grace God has given him all to the glory of His Holy name.
