From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Following his renunciation of Christianity over assumed neglect of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah by Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Okoye has breached two sections of the Canon Law.
The chairman Publicity sub-Committee of the Dedication Committee for Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral Nnewi, Rev Fr Hyginus Aghulor stated this on Thursday.
Rev Fr Aghulor who was reacting to the viral video made by James Louis Okoye said as a matter of fact that he breached Canon Law 194 paragraph 1 No 2 and Canon Law 751 which bothers on apostasy.
Fr Aghulor said that it’s unfortunate that a Catholic Knight who should know that
Catholics do not give to Church to seek recognition no matter the amount of monetary contributions they make to the Church made such frivolous and ridiculous video.
The Publicity sub-Committee chairman for the ordination committee said emphatically that the claims that the church abandoned or refused to acknowledge the huge contributions of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah is a big lie.
“The case of the trending video of a ‘Catholic Knight” who renounces Christianity based on a false claim that the late Sen. Ifeanyi Uba was not recognized for his contribution in the building of the Nnewi Diocesan Cathedral is therefore nothing but an anomaly.
“Let us remember that God rewards us more when we succeed in not allowing our left hand to know what the right hand does in terms of making contributions to the growth of the Church. This incident should be a warning to us as a Church. We should be careful in the way we give people titles. For quite a long time, the motivation to make monetary donations in the church in Nigeria has been predicted on bestowing titles and giving awards. This is a very wrong method of doing catechesis (forming the faith).” Rev Fr Aghulor noted.
Rev Fr Aghulor however clarified that the Bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye, actually recognized and applauded the contributions of Sen Patrick Ubah to the church.
“As a matter of fact, Ubah was the only person whose name was mentioned among the benefactors and prayer had been going in all the Diocese before the dedication day.
“The Church does not owe anybody any such recognitions. It is God that ultimately rewards everyone of his/her deeds. May the Lord guide Christians especially the Knight in question in decision-making with regard to the faith.
“The church has for months composed prayers for the dedication of the cathedral, revered our benefactors, raised those who have passed on before the Lord amongst whom are Ifeanyi Ubah and Ajulu Uzodike who has been part of the cathedral building committee from day one.
“The Bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye mentioned Cardinal Francis Arinze, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and others during the service, Dr Ubah was mentioned on page 10 of the dedication brochure. He was also mentioned copiously from Page 7-9.” Rev Fr Aghulor stressed.
He further clarified that the former senator was a major benefactor to the diocese but did neither build the cathedral singlehandedly nor initiated the building project.
Rev Fr Aghulor also pointed out that people who give in the church do not do so to have their names engraved on marbles but added quickly that the church normally pray for her benefactors.
“As at the last count, twenty churches have been built by individuals in the diocese and none of them has been immortalized the way Louis Okoye wanted, we didn’t build monument for them. The church I must however say has her own way of immortalizing her benefactors. We have one hundred and forty seven parishes in the diocese.
“People who are giving to the church are giving to God, not the Bishop, Priests and the appreciation of those individuals is a continuous process unlike what is obtainable in government.” He explained.