Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Paul Odili has performed the dedication of St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Anambra State.
The dedication is coming four years after the church was attacked by gunmen in 2017, leaving many dead and others injured.
In his speech, Most Rev. Odili urged Christians to recognise the sacredness of the church as an institution under the authority and guidance of God.
He said that Christ exemplifies love and advised Christians to love one another in order to overcome evil.
The prelate noted that the church should be a house of prayer for the faithful not a place for politics and warned against using the church for other activities that do not give glory to God.
He prayed for God’s guidance on the church and the people throughout the year and declared that the ‘gate of hell will never prevail against the church’.
Odili thanked Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu for singlehandedly building St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu and for his generousity to the church and mankind and prayed God to bless him abundantly.
Speaking during the occasion, Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu thanked God for using him as an instrument for the service of mankind.
He also thanked the church for their prayers that helped to sustain him after the tragedy that befell St. Philip’s Church four years ago and prayed that such ugly incident would not be experienced again.
The ceremony was attended by many other members of the clergy and the Traditional Ruler of Ozubulu, Igwe Fidelis Oruche, among others.
