Anglican Bishop ordains 29 deacons in Onitsha

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

No fewer than 29 deacons were on Sunday ordained by the Bishop of Anglican Communion, Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, at Basilica of St. Andrew’s church, Odoakpu, Onitsha.

In his sermon that preceded the ordination, a senior minister in the diocese, Ven. Izuchukwu Obiekwe, lamented that most christians were architects of the many seemingly woes challenging the image of contemporary Christianity.

He therefore compassionately entreated both the old and the newly ordained ministers to join hands to redeem what he called the fast dwindling image of Christianity.

“We therefore, need, in a time like this, to desire to become evangelists and missionaries. This is one way of responding to the contempt we now experience with regard to the apparently dropping image of Christianity.

“My brothers of the 29 deacons, you are going out to become missionaries, evangelists, and servants commissioned to win souls.

“I challenge you, my brothers and your wives to ensure that the foundation of your ministries is based on the blessed Holy Trinity and ensure that you do not bring anything strange into the altar or to the pulpit.

“There is the urgent need for us to genuinely seek unadulterated and uncompromised Christian spirituality”, Obiekwe admonished the deacons.

The Bishop on the Niger, Nwokolo, who presided over the ordination had during the rites subjected the ordinands to various oaths of allegiance to God, the Church and the Diocesan as they swore not to have been members of any cult nor had been sexually disoriented.

The 29 deacons included, Rev Omelebele Anunobi, Rev Ifeanyichukwu Emeka, Rev Godson Ezenagu, Rev Emmanuel Ibegbu, Rev Chukwuma John, Rev Michael Kamuche, and Rev Godswill Mbaegbu.

Others were, Rev Chukwunwem Molokwu, Rev George Nwaisaac, Rev Benneth Nwajagu, Rev Mmadudili Nwoda, Rev Ndubuisi Nwoka, Rev Amaechi Nwokike and Rev Ikechukwu Ogidi.

Also sworn in included, Rev Uchenna Ogugua, Rev Uchenna Okafor, Rev John Okafor, Rev Godwin Okafor, Rev Odinakachukwu Okolie, Rev Chijioke Okonkwo, and Rev Chinedu Okonkwo.

The remaining of the priests were, Rev Emmanuel Okoye, Rev Onyekachukwu Olisa, Rev Emmanuel Omonogun, Rev Christian Onwuzuligbo, Rev Ebelechukwu Onyebuchi, Rev Samuel Onyedinma, Rev Kingsley Uwaezuoke and Rev Emmanuel Uzokife.