Sixteen Deacons have been ordained priests at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha, by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, the Most Reverend Dr. Valerian Okeke.
The event attracted priests, the Vicar General of Nnewi Diocese, Monsignor Patrick Ezeobata and catholic faithful from across the state.
In his homily to commemorate the event, Archbishop Okeke, charged the newly ordained priests to be guided by the pastoral vows of obedience, chastity and poverty in order to excel.
Archbishop Okeke, who tagged his homily “Live and believe in Him, the creator” , while reminding them of the onerous task ahead, advised them to always embrace Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, as their role models, calling on christians to always assist them through prayers and other supports in good faith.
He further stated that their ordination came at the time God needed them to assist in active evangelization to redirect people of God to the right direction even as he cautioned the newly ordained Priests to shun materialism and focus on winning souls for Christ.
While cautioning parents of the newly ordained priests not to distract them with worldly concerns, the Archbishop described ordination as a divine call from God, urging the ordained priests, to be worthy of their calling.
Appreciating God for the elevation, some of the ordained priests, including Reverend Father Jude Ezeji from Ojoto Community, Areh Tochukwu and Osakwe, both from Onitsha, thanked God on behalf of others for giving them the opportunity to serve Him, promising not to let Him down.
The colourful event featured, litany for the ordination, prayer sessions, laying of hands on the newly ordained by older priests, oath taking and ordination by Archbishop Okeke.
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