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Vocationews
VOL. 3 NO.2 APRIL 1993 - OCTOBER 1993
IMPOVERISHMENT
OF THE WORD
IMPOVERISHMENT
OF THE WORD
IN AN
AGE OF DOCTRINAL RELATIVISM
By
The
atmosphere in which the word of God is
preached today is unique in the sense that never before have Christians
shown so much interest in independent interpretation and mastery of the word of God as is the case today. It would
be very interesting to find out those who
sincerely still have the disposition of the Ethiopian Eunuch. This
situation was ushered in with Luther’s translation of the bible into his native
language. Luther's initial intention - that
people will see with their own eyes what is written - has since been exceeded . This trend is
characterized not so much so by serious claims by many christians, in their
encounter with the word of God, to doctrinal
orthodoxy as by the individual’s consciousness of his rights to independent understanding of
the word based on personal “authentic” religious experience. The proliferation
of Christian churches and sects has
always gained from this phenomenon. The
merits and demerits of this trend notwithstanding one would have thought that it would succeed in relegating
religion to an affair of pure subjectivity. Surprisingly people still look
upon and flock to religious leaders for
guidance in religious matters. This
desire for someone who guides and leads is rooted in the
individual’s fundamental dependence
most especially in transcendental matters. It is this desire for a reference
person that adds to the factors that
legitimize the important position that religious leaders occupy in
society. Most especially in times of
crises and difficulties activities boom
in churches and followers are even more willing to make exceptional sacrifices. Among the important
factors that account for the level of followers a church leader actually
commands, the personality traits of the
minister of religion, his power of persuasion , yes, his overall mastery of the art of human engineering often play
more important role, than the orthodoxy of his teaching. History of religion is
full of tales of charismatic leaders who, the absurd nature of their teachings
notwithstanding, have succeeded in
gathering a large number of people around themselves. This number even gets larger the
more grotesque such teachings get and the expectations of the followers for
deliverance rise. Under the guise of
Christianity so many personality cults abound today . Most of these movements
have hardly any bearing with the humble
and simple teachings of Jesus Christ
himself. One would not be surprised if
such a trend leads to the misuse of the confidence reposed on a religious
leader. It is an open secret today that
religion is one of the most flourishing businesses around. One does not need to
be a seer to know that in such situations unscrupulous religious leaders misuse
their offices for personal gains. Where such a situation persists religion
could very easily defeat its goal. It would be sad for religion to be turned
to a portent weapon of exploitation of
the poor and the weak instead of functioning as a tool for liberation. In this
issue one could be incriminated quicker than one realizes it. The basis of
orthodoxy and authenticity does not lie in administering the sacraments in the
name of Christ or any church. Here lies
the danger of it all. It is easier to
point an accusing finger on a religious leader who is outside one’s
denomination as the bad egg. There has
been a series of suspicion and mistrust between the churches in this issue.
Each suspects the other is the one employing foul methods to make ends meet.
The same applies to ministers of religion themselves since no one believes that
his method is deficient. After all it is Jesus Christ that we preach. One thing
is certain: the imposition of hands at
ordination does not guarantee that one would actually harmonize his intentions
with that of the church but it guarantees that one can hide under the name of
the church to cause mischief. It would be erroneous to imagine that those who are lead will continue to accept
such deficient situation as normal. The point of departure of any
radicalism and revolution is the sense of injustice either real or imagined.
Such movements become even more radical and irrational the more the pepetration
of injustice is imagined. As leaders of religion we owe it our faithful to live
above suspicion and live within the confines of our calling. This is the
sacrifice that comes with our vocation. No one is interested how cleverly we make ends meet in the midst of
abject poverty and privation. Many
believe what they see. The falling standards in our society have often been
attributed to lack of religious and moral education in schools. But Sunday schools and religious instruction
classes are full. Could it not be that we have not often done our home work
well . If leaders of religion can
rationalize over their actions so can others. If the good works of many
committed ministers of religion should have impact, if religion and morals
should have relevance, then the attempts to impoverish the word of God has to
be curtailed. It is rather unfortunate that the bad deeds of a few easily drown
the virtuous acts of many. Those who
have eyes to see have started to see very clearly now and those to whom the
word is normally read have started to read to their own understanding and
interpretation. Here lies the
danger.
News From Annunciation Seminary Amaudara
Rt. Rev. Dr. V. V.
Ezeonyia, the bishop of
Students of
Emmanuel Congregation for Annunciation Seminary
With the founding of The Emmanuel Congregation by a priest
of
Living Condition
for the seminary improved
The father
rector has made known that the giant
generator and the bore hole for provision of water in the seminary are now set
for use. With this a major problem confronting the seminary has been addressed.
Collection for
the Seminary
The 5th Sunday of Lent has now
been set aside for special collections for Annunciation Seminary.
Retreat At Annunciation
Seminary
The rector of the seminary has
assured the fathers of a very warm reception during their three days retreat in
the seminary. The fathers themselves believe that this would be a very good
opportunity for them to see for themselves some of the problems confronting the
seminary.
REPORTS FROM 1992 APOSTOLIC WORK CONTINUE
“The surprising thing
here is that in many families, one is free to go his or her own way and attend any
denomination of church that appeals to his conscience. With this situation, two
or three members of a family attend Catholic while others attend C.M.S.,
Sabbath, Qua-Iboe etc., as the case may be... Another surprising thing there
also is the idea of repenting and being converted to the Catholic Faith at old
age. This is peculiar to their men and women... There is a lot to be done there
as to maintain the growth of the Faith.” (Alphonsus D. Ekezie at St. John’s
Parish Iheorji).
“With the permission of
the parish priest I started a new society in the parish named - The World
apostolate of Fatima: BLUE ARMY. ...Majority of the Mbutu Catholics are not
convinced Christians. This is based on their attitudes to the church and to the
sacraments in particular. There are a
lot of fallen Catholics owing to their cultural background where
polygamy is the order of the day” (Basil Onyia at Mbutu Ngwa Parish)
“It all began on the
2nd day of December 1991 after I had compromised with the Parish Priest on this
date. The place of work was St. Jude’s parish Orhuru. There wasn’t much to be
done except waking up early, preparing the box for outside mass and tiding up
the car. I fed very well, if there were
no Father’s clothes for laundry, I did some reading on the alternative. In
fact, it was as if I was on holidays.
St. Gall’s Itungwa is one of the 21 outstations under this Parish.
I didn’t know what I was denied of, until I was asked to leave for this Station
after working for 6 weeks at the Parish center. During morning prayers and on their church
services, I was able to stand before the congregation and preach the sermon,
something I have never done since I was born, prior to this time, when the
parish priest made this transfer known to me, it left me in a world of discomfort. The first thought that came up
my mind was the question of ‘how could
I preach before the people of God’. This tormented me till my first sermon. I
organized morning prayers and taught catechism. I cooked for myself most of the times. After a sick-leave from a
major operation in the right eye, I was sent to St. Gabriel’s Akanu Okpulo.
This is just a family church. I lived in their compound and fed by them. Few
children attended classes and they regarded me as their brother. Rainfall was
at its peak when I was at St. Anns Mgboko Umuoria and as such interrupted half
of the work. Only two people attended morning prayers. I was walking up to a
mile as their catechist’s house was too far from the church. The faithful here
didn’t embrace me even after visiting their various homes. The children I
taught catechism didn’t get used to me after all my effort to make them happy.
However, all these experiences are steps in the right direction, at least to
enlighten one on the course pursued.” (Cletus Chileke at
“The parishioners don’t
normally follow the liturgy and what is happening in the Church because of
their population. Moreover, some pious societies with particular reference to
the Charismatic association relegate some of the doctrines of the Catholic
Church to the background and go to the extreme in their approach to the Holy
Spirit.” (Leonard Ogbonna at St. Eugene’s parish
“It may interest you to
know that majority of the people here are Orlu indigenes and mainly
Catholics... However, one discovers that the major cause of increasing number of fallen Christians here
is due to lack of immediate instructors who may have direct and regular access
to the people. ...Again, there is discrimination among the two major sects of
Orlu indigenes. This discrimination in the church was borrowed from the secular
society. A particular sect considers itself as superior to the other and
therefore must pilot the affairs of the station as officers.. Because this is
so the number of fallen Christians has remained on the increase, some even
attend church at nearby parishes. ...although, those from Orlu seem to see some
differences among themselves and therefore discriminate, they always work as a
team when challenged and the station is capable of impressive achievements.”
(Peter Nwedo at St. Peter’s Oyigbo -West, All Saints Parish Oyigbo Rivers
State).
“I had practices with
the alter boys every Wednesdays and Saturdays. But they were so indignant that
they couldn’t leave their old patterns of serving at Mass. ...The faithful here, needed to be well
informed about the doctrine of the church because many of them are too dogmatic
in their views. Some of them claim to know everything in the church, while they
know nothing about the church. ...The children should be trained on how to sing
and read during their 7.30 a.m. Masses every Sunday. This will enhance more
dedication and responsiveness. More people are required to teach catechism
classes.” ( Jude Obidum at
“I made effort to
inculcate in the faithful the objective of this diocese - the diocesan spirit.
Many wondered what this could be. But I never left them in perpetual wonder. I
tried to explain to them the meaning and implications of such a spirit.... I
observed that majority of the
people that would have belonged to this
parish, are attending mass and doing other things at nearby parishes. Whatever
are their reason(s), I cannot tell... I suggest that the reason(s) for the
migration to other parishes be identified and checked. This will help us a
lot.” ( Charles Okpalaunegbu at
“The church is still in
building, but from my own observations the church will grow in less than no
time... They try their best to make their seminarians feel comfortable - by
providing them with the necessary amenities needed for the work. ...We have
people who will be out to sponsor most of our seminarians when appealed to.” (
Isaac Erondu at Our Lady of Fatima, Umuagbaghi).
“Most common among the
problems in the station is the disunity among the members even the youths are
in shambles and you do not think of first Friday devotion, since the Mary
leagues cannot come together. To solve this problem , I suggest that the
diocese makes it a law that before any lady weds in the Church, she must show
that she is a member of the Mary league group. This I feel may help to remedy
the situation” Ubani Benedict at St. Raphael’s Asa Obehie - Regina Caeli Parish
Asa.)
“There are too many
denominations but those who are Catholics have strong faith in it. Although
they do not fully know the answers to the questions about their faith. That
notwithstanding, they believe that although they do not know the answer, there
is an answer to it.” Chikezie Oparaeke at St. Jude’s Orhuru).
“So many of them are
also yet to be baptized both children and adults respectively. This issue of
not being baptized also aids their fall. On another note majority of them are
polygamists, and there are cases of broken homes. Nevertheless so many of them
nurse the willingness to amend their lives for the better, to realize it, they
are working towards a parish station. Generally speaking, my work was hitch
free and I succeeded in converting one man Mr. Mark Nwachukwu Nwogwugwu who has
been a semi-native doctor. He got ready for baptism and worked towards the
sacrament of matrimony” ( James O. Ndukwe at Umueleghele Station , Amiri
Parish).
“St. Joseph’s station
is an old station founded in 1920. It has about 190 strong members. It is the
first church set in Eziama Nsulu, and at a particular point in time, almost all
Eziama Nsulu villagers were Catholics before the advent of Assemblies of God
and Apostolic churches which took away some members of the Catholic church but
however, the remnants are very responsive except the youth who sometimes are
lukewarm. The people generally are hospitable to strangers and more especially
to seminarians. They love being visited and this revives the spirit of lukewarm ones among them... St. Joseph’s
station is handling a gigantic church building which is almost nearing
completion. They haven’t many benefactors. One of their benefactors is Mr.
Matthew Ariwa Ezekwe a Lagos based business man who donated building materials
worth twenty two thousand naira to the church, although he has two wives and so
is not a very practicing catholic. The general conduct of the people is nice and I enjoyed it all.”
(Joachim Nnanna at
“General report: The
station Catechist is residing in the station, and as such is working hand in
hand with the members of his church. The new church building is still under
construction. The members of St. Mary’s church Umuejea are hard working people,
planning to build a bigger church, a catechist’s house and establishing a
nursing school.” ( Agbara Felix at St. Mary’s Umuejea, Nvosi Parish).
CHRONICLES
April 13, 1993: The vicariate
examination took place. Most of the candidates performed well. Those who
failed will resit the examination at a date to be announced by the Vicar
General (chief examiner). First year Theologians are also to report for a
special rigorous examination.
EVENTS
Vocation Sunday
will be celebrated on the 4th Sunday after Easter: This is an opportunity to create awareness
concerning the theme of this vocation year
“ the poor amongst us”. Likewise the
contribution of different vocations in the church towards combating poverty
amongst our faithful will be highlighted. Besides willing individuals and groups
in the parishes will be encouraged to sponsor seminarians and priests.
1993 Fathers’
Retreat
which has been scheduled at
Annunciation seminary will take place from Monday July 26 to
VOCATIONS
COORDINATION
committee will meet on
THE
COURSE
on the “Rudiments Of
Data-processing” being organized by the vocations ministry continues as
usual on every first Monday of the
month. Venue is the chancery. Time 8
a.m.
THE DEFINITE DATES
for 1993 priestly
ordinations will be made known soon.
FOR THE RECORDS
Posting
The following seminarians have
now been assigned to their first
official duties in the diocese:
Chigbu Andrew Chigbu (Amaudara
Seminary); Ofobuike Chibuzor, Stephen Marcellinus (Amaudara Seminary); Uzoigwe Henry Udochukwu (Annunciation
Seminary Amaudara); Egbenuka I. Chidi.( St. Joseph’s Aba); Umenwa Kingsley (St.
Anthony’s Mbawsi); The vocations
ministry congratulates them and wish them fruitful apostolate.
NATIVITY SPIRITUAL
YEAR OZU ABAM
Mr. Cletus Chileke and Mr.
Anthony Dimkpa once students of this institution will now proceed to
PONTIFICAL URBAN
UNIVERSITY ROME
All our students who took the
B.Phil., examination of June 1992 passed their examination well. The 1992 B.D.,
examination was equally impressive:
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chikezie recorded a Summa cum laude. This is the highest grade that can be
awarded at this level!! We congratulate them.
Horace Emeagwara left the seminary
in January this year. We wish him God’s
blessing wherever he may find himself.
DEATH
The
vocations ministry regrets to let you know that Mr. Emmanuel Umeh in Theology
one (SJS) lost his dear mother. Mr.
Kenneth Aloka in Philosophy one (SWS)
also lost his father. Kindly pray for
the repose of their souls.
OUR BENEFACTORS
Mr. Fabian Ajene of Sacred
Heart Parish Nvosi has joined the list of our benefactors. We are equally
grateful to members of St. Ann Aba Urban, Lady Knights of St. Mulumba. Sir Izunwa and Family, Ministry of Jesus
Crucified Azumini (Rev. Fr. Ifeanyi Anozie), Rene Scheidegger and Family
(Switzerland), Gruppe Weltkirche (Feldbach-Austria), Dechant Johann Leopold.
(Feldbach-Austria) .We thank our benefactors and ask God to reward them abundantly.
SPONSORSHIP
The vocations ministry is
always grateful to individuals or groups that are willing to train a seminarian
or support priests. This is an opportunity to show your gratitude to God in a
special way. Contact the vocation director for details.
1993 APOSTOLIC WORK
RELIGIOUS
CONGREGATIONS ON APOSTOLIC WORK IN THE DIOCESE
The vocation ministry is happy
to welcome 15 senior seminarians from the congregation of Sons of Mary Mother
of Mercy, 2 seminarians form CMF and 2 CSSp seminarians to the diocese for this
year’s apostolic work. We wish them a happy stay in the diocese.
INTER-DIOCESAN
APOSTOLIC WORK
We heartily welcome these
seminarians to our diocese for the 1993 inter-diocesan apostolic work: Michael
Mbonu and Canice Okere. Michael will do
his apostolic work at St. Joseph’s Parish,
Market Road Aba while Canice will work at Our Lady of Fatima Umuagbai Aba.
The following seminarians from
our diocese are serving in other dioceses: Christian Eze (Ogoja Diocese);
Alexander Okonkwor (Onitsha Diocese) may our diocesan spirit accompany them.
REPORTS FOR SEMINARIANS ON APOSTOLIC
WORK/PROBATION
Comprehensive reports
concerning seminarians on apostolic work and probation are to be sent to the
vocation director latest end of July 1992. Seminarians on nine months apostolic
work and those on probation can leave
their places of assignment after the consultation with the bishop in August.
Seminarians on nine months apostolic work and those on probation are to arrange
with the priest under whom they are serving for their holidays. They are yet to
leave no duties unfinished - most
especially those on teaching assignment.
Seminarians are to submit their reports of apostolic work on the day of
consultation with the bishop.
1993 APOSTOLIC WORK
FOR ABA SENIOR SEMINARIANS
Apostolic
work for senior seminarians begins on Friday July 2, 1993 and ends Wednesday August 11, 1993 (6 weeks). Every seminarian is to demonstrate exceptional
sense of responsibility. Seminarians are to collect the guidelines for their
work from the diocesan head seminarian in each seminary. Careful and
systematic planing is very essential
for successful apostolate. Leave nothing to chance!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
1993 ANNUAL
CONSULTATION WITH THE BISHOP AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
All
seminarians on six weeks, nine months, one year apostolic work together with spiritual year students and
those on probation are to report to the C.K.D., chancery, Aba on August 12,
1993 for the annual consultation with the bishop. All are expected to be
seated in the conference hall at 8.30 a.m.
CONSULTATION WITH
THE VOCATION DIRECTOR
All those wishing to consult
the vocations director can do so every first Monday of the month. The venue is
the C.K.D. chancery and the time is from 7.30 a.m. to 9 .30 a.m. His address is
P.M.B. 7526, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
FROM THE DIARY
EMMANUEL
CONGREGATION
The vocations ministry
congratulates the founder of Emmanuel
Congregation Rev. Fr. Prof. John
Egbulefu and wishes the congregation
very successful apostolate in the church. The vocations ministry of Aba
Diocese has accepted the request from the congregation to function as the interim reference person for affairs of the
new congregation. Inquiries should therefore be directed to the Vocation
Director of Aba Diocese.
THOUGHTS FROM 1992
RETREAT TALKS BY REV. FR. KEVIN MADU.
“During his evening conference
he discussed PRIESTS AND MATERIAL GOODS IN THE CHURCH. He started this by
calling to mind of every priest that the instinct of self-preservation occupies
a predominant position in every man - Priests or lay. He noted too that the
Apostles were equally obsessed by this fear of insecurity. Hence, Peter once
asked our Lord: ‘What about us who have left everything to follow you?’ But
Christ assured him that renunciation of worldly goods would not only gain them
eternal life, they would still be remunerated a hundredfold here. Eternal life
is the reward hereafter.
However, the Church’s code of
law is not silent to this anxiety - generating phenomenon. So, it takes care of
the maintenance of Priests (Canon 281). But it must be observed that the Church
looks at the use of material goods in a more salutary way - only in terms of
mission to or service for the poor (evangelium pauperibus). The recommendation
therefore is that the use of material goods should be for a worthy and decent
maintenance of priests. Anything that smacks of affluence and cut-throat race
for wealth (acquisitiveness) is bizarre, an aberration; a derailment. From such
a quagmire culture of affluence, Bishop Ezeonyia C.S.Sp reminded his Priests in
his homily that Christ invites them to ‘a sober, Spartan life-style’. His
reference is Plutarch: Sayings of Kings - Scurrilus Moralia.” (Taken from Rev.
Fr. Wily Onwumdi's report on 1992 Fathers' Retreat).
Congratulations!!!
45 Years a priest
Rt. Rev. Msgr. E. Nwafo.
20 Years a priest:
Fr. Solomon Ezenibe.
15 Years a
priest
Fr Stan. Achoromadu.
10 Years
priests
Frs. G. Chijioke and
I. O. Ajuonu.
5 Years Priests.
Frs. Fidelis Agughara,
J. V. Ijioma
and
A.Onukafor