Despite the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, achieving a historic milestone by ordaining 29 deacons on Sunday, July 7, 2024, it expressed significant concern over Christians themselves being the main contributors to the declining acceptance of their faith. Many Christians were criticized for being the architects of the numerous challenges facing contemporary Christianity’s image.
A senior minister in the diocese, Ven Dr. Izuchukwu Obiekwe, voiced this concern during a 25-minute sermon delivered at the solemn church service preceding the ordination at the Basilica of St. Andrew’s, Odoakpu, Onitsha. He strongly indicted many Christians for damaging Christianity’s image through public criticism of the Church, its ministers, and fellow believers.
Dr. Obiekwe explained that such careless talk has naturally led to a poor image for the Church. He stated, “Because of this condemnable public attitude of these few members, Christianity is now having an acceptability problem.”
He was visibly troubled by the harm these reckless utterances have caused, particularly among youth locally and globally. “One of the major challenges we face today as Christians is the rejection of the Christian faith. Christianity is being rejected locally and internationally, leading many to revert to idol worship. Some youths no longer want to attend church; instead, they play football. Cultism, fetishism, and ritual practices are on the rise among them. This is a matter of great concern, both locally and globally, so that Christianity can remain and become more acceptable,” he appealed.
Dr. Obiekwe, who was the retreat leader for the newly ordained, lamented that in the past, there were fewer churches, denominations, and ordained ministers, yet Christianity enjoyed high acceptance. Contrastingly, he noted that today, despite the abundance of churches and ordained ministers, Christianity faces high levels of rejection and diminishing returns. This calls for prayer, he said.
He urged both the old and newly ordained ministers to work together to restore the diminishing image of Christianity. “We need to become evangelists and missionaries to counter the contempt Christianity faces. My brothers, the 29 deacons, you are commissioned to win souls. I challenge you and your wives to ensure your ministries are founded on the Holy Trinity and to avoid bringing anything strange into the altar or pulpit. We urgently need unadulterated and uncompromised Christian spirituality,” Ven Dr. Obiekwe admonished the deacons.
The Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev Dr. Owen Nwokolo, presided over the ordination, during which the ordinands took various oaths of allegiance to God, the Church, and the Diocese, swearing not to have been members of any cult nor sexually disoriented.
The 29 deacons include: Rev. Omelebele Anunobi, Rev. Ifeanyichukwu Emeka, Rev. Godson Ezenagu, Rev. Emmanuel Ibegbu, Rev. Chukwuma John, Rev. Michael Kamuche, and Rev. Godswill Mbaegbu. Others are: Rev. Chukwunwem Molokwu, Rev. George Nwaisaac, Rev. Benneth Nwajagu, Rev. Mmadudili Nwoda, Rev. Ndubuisi Nwoka, Rev. Amaechi Nwokike, and Rev. Ikechukwu Ogidi. The remaining deacons are: Rev. Uchenna Ogugua, Rev. Uchenna Okafor, Rev. John Okafor, Rev. Godwin Okafor, Rev. Odinakachukwu Okolie, Rev. Chijioke Okonkwo, and Rev. Chinedu Okonkwo. Completing the list are: 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.
