Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Awka was filled with Catholic Faithfu who came to celebrate Ash Wednesday in black attairs.
Their dressings showed that they were in mourning mood as Catholic Bishops Of Nigeria directed the faithful to march against insecurity and incessant blood shed in the country.
Religion Correspondent, Amaka Okoye attended the mass and reports that the Catholic Bishops directed the faithful to appears in black clothes , pray and do penance for souls that were wasted by the Fulani herdsmen, Boko haram and other insurgents in the country and to unite in prayers for peace and security in Nigeria.
In a homily while celebrating the mass, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese,Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, thank God for commencement of the Lenten season, which he said is a moment of penitence, fasting and reconciliation, stating that all christians are marked with Ash reminding them they were made of Ash and unto it,they shall return.
Most Reverend Ezeokafor asked Christians to prayer fervently for peace, repent and believe in the gospel, adding that when they fast it keeps them in tone with what God wants them to do.
The Catholic Prelate maintained that every government has the primary responsibility of taking care of her citizens and appeal to the Federal government to put to stop incessant killings in the country and arrest the perpetrators to restore peace to the nation.
In his reaction a Catholic faithful, Chief Uche Nworah who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, said that the mass is symbolic as the ash reminds Christains of where they are going to and appearing in black was to show solidarity to the Catholic Bishop Conference that they are strongly behind them in faith, calling on those in authority to see to the end of blood shed in Nigeria as the nation has seen enough of waste of human lives.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop, Eccliastical Province Of The Niger,Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim says that period of lent calls for restoration and repentance.
Most Reverend Ibezim who stated this in a sermon during a eucharistic service to mark the Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral Church Of Saint Faith Awka gave the theme as “walking in the light.”
Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim who is also the Anglican Bishop Of Awka Diocese,said that at lent christian should humble themselves,pray and fast so as to be restored back to Christ and inherit God’s kingdom . He explained that walking in the light entails that they should embrace Christ, accept his Lordship,abide by his words and forgive all as Christ did.
The Archbishop lamented the increasing level of blood shed, insecurity, anxiety and fear all over the nation, calling federal government to stand up and defend the masses ,urging christians to use this moment to pray as one body to bring back unity,peace and co-existence in Nigeria.
The service attracted all the priests in Awka Diocese while holy communion and marking of ashes on forehead featured in the service.
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