Igbariam community in Anambra East Council Area played host to numerous Catholic Bishops from the different Diocese that make up the Ecclesiastical Province of Onitsha for the foundation stone laying of new Saint Paul’s Minor Seminary, Igbariam.
The foundation laying ceremony came as Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu celebrates its one hundred years of existence and having begun in Igbariam in 1924, before moving to its present location in Enugu.
The new St Paul’s Minor Seminary, Igbariam was founded as a legacy of the early missionaries and their works of evangelism in the community.
The pontifical high mass which took place at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, Igbariam, witnessed the presence of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Dr Anselm Onuora, top government officials, priests, Reverend Sisters, Ndi Igbariam and parishioners of Aguleri Diocese.
During his brief remarks at the beginning of the mass, the Bishop of Aguleri Diocese, Most Reverend Denis Isizoh said Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu started as Saint Paul’s Senior Seminary, Igbariam in 1924 but later moved to Enugu due to some prevailing circumstances encountered by the early missionaries but said that they were able to ordain many priests before their sojourn to Enugu.
Most Reverend Isizoh went down memory lane on the journey of the seminary, stating that the pioneer seminarians began their philosophical studies while new intakes combined their studies with the Teachers Higher Elementary Courses.
The host Bishop noted that for these one hundred years, Bigard Memorial Seminary has produced about fourteen Archbishops, thirty-five Bishops, hundreds of priests and prominent individuals such as Blessed Micheal Iwene Tansi.
In his homily, the Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Reverend Godfrey Onah pointed to the life transforming experience of the patron saint of the school, Saint Paul, and said that the institution was founded to rediscover missions, preach gospel with discernment, stating that if they lose sight of these intention, they will produce scholars in different professions and not priests.
Speaking shortly after mass, Governor Soludo represented by the Member representing Anambra East Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Obi Nweke who is an indigene of Igbariam said that the school coming back after a hundred years is historic and prayed that it will help nurture priests that will be after God’s own heart and responsible citizens.
The President General of Igbariam Progressive Union, Dr Chris Offorkansi said the foundation stone laying was made possible because of the support and express approval of Bishop Isizoh, stating that the community welcomed them with open heart and pledged that they will do anything within their reach to see that the seminary succeeds.
Another stakeholder of the community, Chief Lawrence Anikpe maintained that Ndi Igbariam are grateful to God for being found worthy to host the seminary again and pledged their commitment to see that the seminary become the envy of her contemporaries.
Pranting of centenary trees, foundation laying stone and special blessings of the land were other highpoints of the ceremony.
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