Owerri, Nigeria. On Saturday, February 6, 2021, seven Students of the East Nigeria Province Adisionu Patrick, Akujuobi Jude, Amaku Peter Claver, Chiaha Raphael, Igba Emmanuel, Omelukam Sylvester, and Nnonyelum Maxwell, CMFF, were ordained deacons at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
The ordination was presided over by the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev Anthony J. V. Obinna, while his auxiliary, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, the Provincial Superior Fr Simeon Nwobi, CMF, and other priests present concelebrated.
In his homily, guided by the theme “Answering the Call of God”, the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri, Most Rev Moses Chikwe, stated that the call to the ministry of the diaconate entails docility and the willingness to throw oneself into action, doing the will of God. In the world, there are so many voices that try to drown the call of God. Amidst the rumbling and distracting voices of the world, the deacons have strived to discern the voice of God through their formation and today they have pronounced a firm “yes!”.
He further reminded them that
since we carry the treasure of the “call of God” in earthen vessels, we have to rely not just on our own effort but on the grace of God. It is a call to be answered every day, making daily decisions in sacrifice for God amidst the daily challenges and situations. The “call of God” is a call to a life of sacrifice for others.
A total of fifteen deacons were ordained, eight from the Archdiocese of Owerri and seven Claretian Missionaries.
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