The new Bishop of the Oji River Diocese (Anglican Communion) in Enugu State, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Ikechukwu Egbuonu, has vowed to bring to an end what he described as the embarrassing resurgence of idol worship in the Oji River and its neighbouring communities.
He emphasized that the areas had to be recovered for Christ by making effectual inroads into every nook and cranny of the communities, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Egbonu held out the pledge in the inaugural homily he said shortly after his enthronement at the Cathedral Church of St Paul, Holy Hill, Oji River, Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Lamenting the degree of idol worship and other forms of social vices in the area and what harm he said such pastimes had caused youths in the area, the bishop beckoned in the clergy, the laity in the diocese and the entire Enugu State to join hands with him to recover the youths from idolatory and other social ills using the word of God.
The Rt Rev Dr Egbonu, the theme of whose homily was on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, had, while likening the episode to his own entry into the Oji River Diocese explained that God set everyone apart according to one’s own capacity, but wondered whether such individuals were ready to take responsibilities.
He said that God in His divine wisdom brought him to Oji River and Ezeagu among other assignments to destroy the works of darkness; idol worship, principalities and powers which he remarked were staging a come back among the youth.
“God planted us here in the Oji River for a purpose. And that purpose must be achieved”, he assured, prophesying that the people would equally fulfill their own individual purposes in life.
“I am out to return Oji River to God. I have met prominent people from Oji River and Enugu State indigenes, including sitting and immediate past state governors, to join me in the crusade towards the restoration of worship of God in this diocese”, Bishop Egbionu said.
He condemned in its entirety what he called the return to idol worship in Oji River and some parts of Igboland and vowed to contain the trend in the area by re-orientating the youth who he said were the driving force of the resurgence of the fetish worship.
Bemoaning what he described as regrettable consequences of indulging in Idol worship, the bishop called the practice “the handiwork of the devil”, saying, “No man was born to be an idol worshipper. But because of the vacuum created by the fall of man, man thereafter became deceived into idolatory.
“However Jesus came as a second Adam to liberate and re-establish man and having paid our debt, He enjoined us to go forth into the world and proclaim His Gospel.
“I came to Oji River to be a co-labourer, to re-establish His kingdom. Therefore I plead with you to join me in this task; the task of recovering our young people for Christ,” Bishop Egbonu requested.
He disclosed that as part of his efforts towards the restoration of the worship of God in Oji River, he had perfected a grand plan to set up a hospital, a school of nursing science and massive investment in agriculture in order to provide jobs for youths and women.
Bishop Egbuonu had earlier while being formally enthroned as the Bishop of Oji River Diocese pledged to keep watch over the flock of God under his care.
He was reminded that the Holy Spirit had appointed him shepherd “to encourage the faithful, restore the lost and build up the bond of Christ”, so that when the Chief Shepherd would appear, he might receive the unfading crown of glory.
In his oath of fidelity, Bishop Egbonu swore to observe all the statues and customs of the Cathedral Church of St Paul as well as diligently uphold the canonical obedience to the Primate of the Church of Nigeria and his successors in office in all things lawful and honest.
The enthronement was witnessed by many Archbishops and Bishops of the Anglican Communion, among who were; the Archbishop of Aba Ecclesiastical Province, the immediate past Bishop of Oji River Diocese, the Rt Rev Amos Madu and the retiring Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, the Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma.
Others included the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt Rev Dr. Owen Nwokolo and his wife, Dr. Mrs Elsie Nwokolo and many other serving and retired bishops with their wives.
Prominent personalities from Anambra State who were at Oji River to show solidarity with Bishop Egbuonu were the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Sly Ezeokenwa, politicians and business tycoons; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Chief Chika Okafor of Chikason Group, among others.
A former Governorship candidate in Enugu State and an indigene of Oji River, Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu and many other prominent sons and daughters of Oji River were present and pledged support for the new bishop.
( Ejiofor Eze in Orji River)
