Gathering Of Who Is Who As Cardinal Okpaleke, Celebrates Open Mass At St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia
By Michael Ezenwata
It was a gathering of who is who in Ekwulobia as the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, celebrated an open Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia.
Cardinal Okpalaeke appreciated everybody who contributed one way or the other in his priesthood journey, and appealed for prayers to help him excel in his new position as a Prince in the universal Church.
Cardinal Okpalaeke expressed gratitude to the Catholic community in Ahiara diocese, stating that he holds them in his heart.
In his homily, the Archbishop of Onitsha ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend Dr.Valerian Okeke, expressed delight at the elevation of Cardinal Okpalaeke which is Divine and speaks volumes of the benevolence of God.
Archbishop Okeke further expressed gratitude in the recognition of the local Church in Nigeria and expects that the new Cardinal will be given maximum cooperation to succeed in his priestly duties.
The President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji, expressed kind sentiments on the elevation of Cardinal Okpalaeke, describing it is a big plus to the growth of the Church in Nigeria.
In a remark, Governor Chukwuma Soludo felicitated with the Cardinal who he treasures as a Pride to the State and Nigeria in general.
Governor Soludo expressed the wish that the elevation of Cardinal Okpalaeke would bring good fortunes to Nigeria.
He expects the electorate, during the forth coming presidential election, to vote according to their conscience and enthrone a responsive government.
In a remark during the Occasion, the former member representing Orumba North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Uchenna Okonkwo- Okom, gave thanks to God for elevating Cardinal Okpalaeke just He lifted the Blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of Christ whose birthday coincided with the reception of the Cardinal.
The former lawmaker recalled the rejection of Cardinal Okpalaeke in Ahiara, and his upliftmenr by God which aptly justifies the saying that the rejected stone has become the Chief Cornerstone.
He expressed happiness in the growth of the church in Ekwulobia and thanked the Catholic Church in Nigeria for their support.
In his message of solidarity, the traditional ruler of Akpu in Orumba south LGA, Igwe Marcel Okoli, also felicitated with Cardinal Okpalaeke for his humility which fetched him the exalted position, and urged people to emulate his quality character.
Other traditional rulers who felicitated with Cardinal Okpalaeke include the traditional ruler of Amesi, Igwe Raphael Okpalaeke, his Owerre Ezukala counterpart, Igwe Thomas Ogbonnaya, as well as the traditional ruler of Eziagu, Igwe Bernard Emejue.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were Senator Patrick Uba representing Anambra South Senatorial District, a front line politician in the state, Chief Val Ozoigbo among others.
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