EASTER: DO NOT DESPAIR AMIDST CHALLENGES IN THE LAND — ARCHBISHOP OKEKE
REPORTER: OBY ARINZE
The Metropolitan Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, the Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, wants Christians to have strong faith in God and not to despair, irrespective of challenges confronting them.
Archbishop Okeke stated this in a Homily to mark the Easter celebration at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
The Most Reverend Okeke, pointed out that Lent was over while Easter was a time to celebrate Jesus’ Redemption of mankind which he completed through His Resurrection from the dead.
According to the Archbishop, warriors in the Bible including Abraham, Gideon, David and the Centurion conquered wordly challenges through faith.
He noted that God is always on the side of those who stood for human dignity, justice, peace and freedom.
The Archbishop assured such people that in the end they would achieve victory over greed, quest for power and wealth, wickedness, hatred and violence.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha reiterated that anyone that had faith, would receive the glory of God.
He noted that during the last two years, Easter was celebrated amidst COVID-19 pandemic and while the world was getting over it, the Ukraine war started with daily killings, kidnapping and terror in various communities in Nigeria and other nations.
The Catholic Archbishop encouraged the faithful that amidst the pandemic, wars, terrors and other afflictions, the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Day brought joy and hope to humanity
Some new members of the congregation received the sacrament of baptism during the mass.
