…Promises Exciting Christmas Celebrations Across Churches In Agulu
Tony Okafor, Awka
The President of Agulu Anglican Community (AAC), Architect Peter Okpala, has commended priests and church workers in the area for what he described as their exemplary conduct amid the leadership crisis rocking the Diocese of Awka, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
Okpala said the priests and church workers had demonstrated maturity, discipline and commitment to the collective interest of the church by refraining from actions capable of undermining its overall activities and institutional authority.
He particularly praised them for not allowing the disagreement at the diocesan level to disrupt the spiritual activities and unity of the Anglican faithful in Agulu.
Okpala spoke on Sunday during a joint meeting with priests and members of the Strategic Committee of the Agulu Anglican Community.
He called on Anglicans in the community to continue to uphold peace, orderliness and enthusiasm in the discharge of their religious responsibilities, stressing that the prevailing situation required restraint, understanding and a renewed commitment to Christian fellowship.
The Awka Diocese has been embroiled in a leadership dispute following the directive by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, asking the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, to proceed on six months’ compulsory leave to allow investigations into allegations and developments within the diocese.
The Primate subsequently appointed the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as supervising bishop of the Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger.
The directive, however, triggered disagreements within the diocese, with the Diocesan Board rejecting the decision and questioning the Primate’s authority to take such action.
The disagreement has also generated legal proceedings and competing positions among sections of the church leadership.
Against this background, Okpala’s commendation of the Agulu clergy and church workers underscores the importance of maintaining institutional discipline and preventing disagreements at the diocesan level from affecting the spiritual life of local church communities.
The AAC president also disclosed that the community was preparing for an exciting Christmas celebration, promising that this year’s festivities would be marked by fun, fellowship and activities designed to bring Anglican faithful together across the various churches in Agulu.
He said the community’s leadership had mapped out programmes across the Anglican churches in Agulu, with activities designed to accommodate both young and elderly members and make the season memorable for all categories of worshippers.
According to him, the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen bonds among members, promote intergenerational relationships and make the Church more engaging, particularly for young people.
He maintained that the Anglican Church remained a big spiritual umbrella with room for everybody, irrespective of age, status or background, but stressed the need for continuous rejuvenation and revival within the communion.
He urged priests, church workers and lay members to remain steadfast in their service to God, noting that the strength of the Anglican Communion depended not only on its leadership structure but also on the unity, commitment and spiritual consciousness of its members.
