Tomorrow, Friday, 9th November, 2022, the Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation, CMO, will begin its fortieth anniversary celebration activities at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
The event which would be flagged off by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Maduka Okeke will begin with a thanksgiving mass, followed by other activities especially the conferment of special awards of honour to select individuals by the Metropolitan and the launching of five hundred million naira Library project for the new Shanahan University, Onitsha.
A statement jointly signed by the President General of CMO, Hon Sir Evarist Uba and the Onitsha Archdiocesan chaplain of CMO, Rev Fr Sampson Ogbuebuna said there is every reason for the CMO members to give thanks to God for attaining forty years looking back at their numerous contributions towards the growth of the church. It is also a collective demonstration of the capacity of CMO members to speak with one voice and sustain it’s solidarity to the church.
The Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) according to records was the brainchild of His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, then Archbishop of Onitsha. Cardinal Arinze while inaugurating the CMO and other statutory bodies in 1982 viewed the development as a “New Era of Evangelization.”
As the name implies, Catholic Men Organisation (CMO)is a meeting or an organisation for male married Catholics who are members of the Laity. In realisation of the objectives of setting up the CMO and other church organisations, members are called to devote their time, talent and treasure towards the growth of the church. In that regard, the CMO has spread to all dioceses of Nigeria, if not beyond, with hundreds of thousands of members nationwide and in the diaspora.
The CMO, Archdiocese of Onitsha, is proud of its members who have been honoured as Pillars, Hall of Fame Merit Award winners, among many other distinguished members.
It is no mean feat that Catholic Men under the umbrella of CMO which binds all other male embodied groups in the various church societies, have contributed immensely to the growth of the mother church directly or indirectly.
Members of the CMO whether poor or rich have demonstrated steadfastness in encouraging their families to ride on board the church’s evangelization train and participate in various activities.
Members of the CMO whether poor or rich have demonstrated steadfastness in encouraging their families to ride on board the church’s evangelization train and participate in various activities.
In their quest to be good professors of their faith and good ambassadors of the church, CMO members have made tremendous sacrifices and contributions materially and spiritually towards development of the church and advancement of the faith.
The CMO epitomizes the ideals of their father figure, St Joseph the Worker whose role as the father of Jesus Christ is not only noble, but exemplary, inspiring, dignifying and committed to his family, faith and work even as a mere carpenter.
Regardless of certain setbacks and inadequacies, members of the CMO, Archdiocese of Onitsha can beat their chests and claim to be powerful stakeholders in the church on this 40th anniversary celebration of its existence.
Those who will benefit from the Archbishop’s CMO 40th anniversary honours award will count themselves lucky because it is not only the first of its kind but a lifetime honour. It is, therefore, an honour to be received and cherished.
Also, congratulations to the present and past leaderships of CMO and the entire members on this 40th anniversary celebration and best wishes to you all.
Indeed, the Onitsha Archdiocesan CMO 40 anniversary celebration is an indelible milestone.
Written by SIR VICTOR ONONYE
Comments are closed for this post.