The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has urged the newly installed Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Lucius Ugorji to realize that the Catholic faithful are looking up to his new office for their spiritual wellbeing.
The governor who stated this during the installation of Bishop Ugorji as the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 said the Catholic faithful are expecting a lot from him in the state and beyond.
Uzodinma said besides,” you are taking over at a time when the nation appears to be at crossroads. Sadly, we are witnessing the highest level of insecurity and youth restiveness than ever before.
“We are also witnessing the aftermath of a global pandemic and economic hardships which continue to test the faith of many citizens of the country. Thus, much is indeed expected from you as the Shepherd of the faithful.
The governor explained that as children, we saw Bishops as Angels on earth. We desired and dreamt of the day we would be privileged to touch their cassocks each time they visited our parishes, which was not so frequent. You can therefore imagine my excitement and joy as I watch this colourful and divine installation from such a close distance.
“To this end, I warmly congratulate and felicitate our new Archbishop, His Grace, Lucius Ugorji on his installation. May I also seize the opportunity to, most sincerely, appreciate the out-going Archbishop, His Grace, A.J.V. Obinna for his eventful, remarkable, long tenure, which stretched from 1994 – 2022.
“Without a doubt, His Grace, Archbishop A. J. V Obinna, is leaving the Church he inherited in 1994, a bigger and stronger organization that is more responsive to the spiritual needs of the people.
” Thanks to his style of aggressive evangelism, under his watch, the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province witnessed the planting of parishes at the doorsteps of many faithful.
“It is also on record that he faced many battles and weathered a lot of storms during his tenure. Thus, the retiring Archbishop can be likened to St Paul in many ways. Therefore, I dare say to Your Grace, Archbishop Obinna: “You have fought a good fight, and you have finished the race”. May I join the rest of the church in wishing you the very best of retirement?
” Our new Archbishop, His Grace Lucius Ugorji, please permit me to humbly remind you of the obvious – much is expected from you. As you know, the Divine office of the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province is the spiritual headquarters of Catholics in Imo and Abia States. This implies that a great number of the Catholic faithful in these states and beyond, look upto to your new office for their spiritual wellbeing.”
Uzodinma said ‘ ‘as a Christian and a Catholic, I have tremendous respect for the church and her leadership. My administration shall, therefore, continue to partner with the church to ensure that we give quality service to the people.