The ancient church of St. Stephen’s Cathedral Anglican Church, Bonny was last Sunday agog as Anglican faithfuls, friends, family members and several Christian faithfuls converge to celebrate with their sons, who were ushered into the priestly vineyard of the Lord.
It was the ordination of 22 clergies who have duly completed their academic programmes with the prescribed institutions as well as those who have successfully served their statutory one year as Deacons in the last one year in the Diocese.
Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Rt. Revd. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien JP has immediately after the ordination called on the well meaning indigenes of Rivers State to wade into the crisis rocking Rivers State, positing that there are people who are more qualified in every respect to bring the political class to order.
The bishop had on behalf of the Diocese condemn the crisis in Rivers State while urging the warring parties to sheet their swords and accept peace as according to him no one could author except God.
The church used the ordination service to offer prayers of peace for Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Anglican bishop of Etche Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Precious Okechukwu Nwala, JP has charged Christian faithfuls especially the newly ordained to zero in for the Lord, fearing him in their guest to succeed in the ministry.
Bishop Nwala who was guest preacher at the six days event that terminated on Sunday with the ordination service, while speaking on the topic “God’s model for today priestly ministry” maintained that there is a search for men who fears God in the government, business, priesthood and all spheres of life, hence the urgent need for the priests to fear God in all dealings.
He said the success of every priest, king and every man depends on the knowledge and fear of the Lord.
According to the Etche Diocesan Bishop, Nwala, who took his main test from Psalms 25:12, said whoever is called of God does not only receive his teaching on what to do but he is also directed on the pattern of life to live by God, saying that the Anglican clergy is a challenging one because, he is both a teacher, father, husband, administrator and a leader and challenged the ordained to shine forth in the areas of their calling.
Bishop Nwala further challenged the ordained to be Christ like and model for the ministry under their care, as today churches and worshippers are dwindling in the faith, urging the clergies to mobilized the people for the preaching of the undiluted word of God in their domain.
He said the giant ministry which he described as “The teaching ministry” is sleeping as a result of non-compliance by Christians and members of the church, urging the newly ordained clergies to take up the challenge, adding that, he who trust the Lord spends his days in prosperity.
Still addressing the newly ordained he charged them to ensure that Christ is formed in every life as the coming of Christ is fast approaching, saying that pastors should be teachers and doers of what they professes.
To the laities and members of body of Christ, the preacher admonished that the ministry will grow when each member do their respective work.
The man of God and erudite Bishop who took on the members on the welfare ministry which according to him is a vital arm of the church, told members to always strive to know the plight and need of the priest who is not expected to go from door to door for food rather be fed by the church for adequate ministration of the work in his charge.
Similarly, the welfare of individual members should be the watchword of the church for optimal result, the bishop stressed.
Bishop Nwala further stressed that parents should investigate their children’s and ward’s attitude especially against the act of homosexual and lesbianism practices which is a crime against God and humanity.
He further called on the people for a deliberate act of spiritual drive of the church noting that Gods blessing is generational.
Places of assignment should not be dictated but to do what God has ask one to do and to always ask God his direction, the preacher told the pastors.
Dignitaries at the ordination service include the immediate past bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Gabriel Herbert Pepple (Rtd), the public relation officer of NLNG, Mr. Ifeanyi.
Others were the Diocesan Chancellor Justice Biobele, Abraham Georgewill, Diocesan registrar and Chief Magistrate of Rivers State Ibiere George and members of the Diocese legal team.
Also in the congregation were HRM king Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny and others. ###
James Mgboineme
