 |
VOL.
10. NO. 12. AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 PUBLICATION |
Owerri
Provincial Bishops cry foul on Terrorism, Kidnapping
Communiqué! STOP THE KIDNAPPING
Episcopal Ordination of 1st Nigerian Nuncio fixed
for Nnewi, Sept. 27, 2008
2nd Innocentian National Conference Ends At Orlu
Ahiara Diocesan Ordination, 2008 - Bishop Chikwe
cautions against ‘Dibia mentality’
Umuoye People Receive their First Indigenous Priest
St. Anthony's Parish Umunama: 58 Candidates Confirmed
At St. Peter's Parish Okponkume, Bishop Chikwe
Confirms 93 candidates in the faith
St. Dominic's Alumni Celebrate Feast Of St. Dominic
12 Convert to the Catholic Faith as 70 Couples
Wed at Our Lady Of Victory Parish, Amumara
An Address By The Secretary-General Of The Catholic
Secretariat Of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Otto Ekpenyong, At
The 70th Birthday Thanksgiving Mass Of His Lordship, MOST REV.
DR. VICTOR CHIKWE, Bishop Of Ahiara Diocese
Homily At The 70th Birthday Of Most Rev Dr. Victor
Adibe Chikwe, At Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Ahiara, Saturday,
July 26, 2008, By Rev. Fr. Dr. Ralph Madu
Owerri
Provincial Bishops cry foul on Terrorism, Kidnapping
Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province have expressed
regrets that despite the divine injunction, as well as government
programmes aimed at safeguarding human lives, there are still
threats that degrade and violate human life such as hijacking,
terrorism and kidnapping.
The Catholic bishops, who made their feelings known in an eight-point
communique they issued after their second plenary meeting and
signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Archbishop Anthony J.V.
Obinna and Bishop Victor Chikwe respectively, also called on
the citizenry to respect the sacredness of human life. "We
note with sadness the recent rise of kidnapping in our states.
The situation is alarming not so much by its frequency as by
its attendant terror and trauma", the clerics stated.
In their considered opinion, "kidnapping is sinful, wicked
and extortionary", even as they maintained that the act
"ultimately degrades the kidnappers themselves and makes
them inhuman and brutes". They insisted that kidnapping
on grounds of bad governance, lack of social amenities, joblessness
or meagre income, cannot be justified, especially as the end
does not justify the means.
Communiqué! STOP THE KIDNAPPING Calling Our People To Respect The Sacredness Of Human Life, A Pastoral Statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting held at the Bishop's House, Aba, Abia State, August 12-13, 2008
PREAMBLE
We, the Catholic Bishops of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province,
held our Second
Plenary Meeting on the 12th and 13th of August, 2008, at the
Bishop's House,
Aba, Abia State. After prayerfully deliberating on a number
of vital issues concerning the life of our people, we issue
the following pastoral statement:
OUR
CONCERN AS SHEPHERDS
1. Our ministry as Bishops makes us sharers in and dispensers
of the saving mission of Christ which is “to bring the
good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to
the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free...” (Lk.
4:18). Anointed for this Divine service, we proclaim, not only
God's blessings (cf. Lk. 4:19) to our people but also denounce
all attempts to violate the sacred and sublime dignity of every
human person.
REVERENCE
FOR HUMAN LIFE
2. Every human person is sacred because he or she is created
in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26). It is this divine
presence in every human person that makes him or her priceless,
and demands reverence for every human life. In admiration of
the human person, the Psalmist addresses God saying: “with
glory and honour you have crowned him, gave him power over the
works of your hand, put all things under his feet” (Ps.
8:5-6).
Traditionally, our people understood and appreciated this divine origin of life as contained in their principles of ndu ka (life is supreme), ndu bu isi (life is primordial), ndu ka aku (life is greater than wealth) and mmadu ka (man is the greatest of all things). All is rooted in the universal commandment of God, “Thou shall not kill” (Ex. 20: 13).
VIOLATION
OF HUMAN LIFE
3. It is unfortunate to observe that in spite of the Divine
injunction and the teachings of the Church, as well as the programmes
of government and civil society organizations for human promotion,
there are still threats that degrade and violate human life
such as hijacking, terrorism and kidnapping.
THE
WORRISOME RISE OF KIDNAPPING
4. We note with sadness, the recent rise of kidnapping in our
States. It has become front page news and prime time news in
our radio and television broadcasts. In families, schools, market
places, Churches, Mosques and other gatherings, people talk
about it with anxiety and trepidation. The situation is alarming
not so much by its frequency as by its attendant terror and
trauma.
5. Kidnapping is sinful, wicked and extortionary. It ultimately
degrades the kidnappers themselves and makes them inhuman and
brutes. Its sinfulness attracts God's wrath. We want our people
to know that kidnapping on grounds of bad governance; lack of
social amenities; joblessness, or meagre income, cannot be justified.
The end does not justify the means.
UNTOLD
CONSEQUENCES ON OUR DAILY LIFE
6. This unfortunate state of affairs adversely affects our already
unstable nation and weak economy. Entrepreneurs waste huge amounts
of resources on security measures than is ordinarily needed.
It gives a bad name to our nation. It does not help the growth
of our democracy. It violates the natural law and degrades the
human person. It deters, not only Nigerians abroad, but also
foreigners from visiting our country and investing in it.
CONCLUSION
7. We sympathize with all the victims and relatives of this
nefarious act of kidnapping. We pray God to heal their wounds
and restore them. Furthermore, we thank all those who have rallied
to the support of these victims, spiritually, psychologically
and materially. We extend our appreciation to every person who
kindly and insistently safeguards the integrity and dignity
of the human person..
8
In addition, We make the following appeal:
(1) To those with political and civil authority: provide social
amenities, create job opportunities, and strengthen our security
outfit.
(2)
To abducted persons and relations: pay no ransom or gratification
to kidnappers since this encourages them to continue in their
dastardly act.
(3)
To kidnappers: have a change of heart in order to avoid God's
wrath.
(4)
To our traditional leaders and all with relevant information:
help the security agents in identifying kidnappers in your communities.
(5)
To the clergy, parents and leaders everywhere: make our people,
especially the youth aware of the sinfulness of kidnapping.
Finally, we commend ourselves and States to our Blessed Mother
Mary.
Given at the Bishop's House, Aba, on this day, 13th of August,
2008.
Signed:
MOST
REV. A. J. V. OBINNA
Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri, Chairman
MOST
REV. V. A. CHIKWE
Bishop of Ahiara, Secretary
For
and on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical
Province
which covers lmo and Abia States and parts of Anambra and Rivers
States.
Episcopal Ordination of 1st Nigerian Nuncio fixed for Nnewi, Sept. 27, 2008
There
Will Be An Episcopal Ordination Of Msgr. Jude Thaddeus Okolo
On 27th Of Sept., 2008 At Our Lady Of The Assumption Cathedral
Nnewi By Francis Cardinal Arinze. On 2nd August, 2008 The Holy
Father Appointed Msgr Jude Thaddeus Okolo As The Apostolic Nuncio
To The Central African Republic And The Republic Of Chad. At
The Same Time He Is Appointed Titular Bishop Of Novica, But
As Archbishop.
Before His Appointment, Msgr. Jude Thaddeus Okolo Was Counselor
Of The Apostolic Nunciature In Australia. Archbishop-Elect Okolo
Was Born In Kano (Nigeria) On 18 December 1956. He Was Ordained
Priest For The Diocese Of Nnewi On 2 July 1983. He Has A Doctorate
In Canon Law. He Entered The Diplomatic Service Of The Holy
See On 1 June 1990 And Has Served In The Pontifical Missions
In Sri Lanka, Haiti, West Indies (Antille), Switzerland, Czech
Republic And Australia. He Speaks English, French, Italian,
German, Spanish And Czech.
2nd
Innocentian National Conference Ends At Orlu
The members of the Innocentian Community nationwide have ended
their annual conference at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church,
Owerri Ebeiri, Orlu Diocese. Declaring the conference open the
moderator of the community, Rev. Fr. Chrysogonus Okorie OCD
said the aim of the annual conference is to promote love of
the church and mankind among the faithful especially now that
the teaching of the church which for centuries have punctuated
the life of the church and through which she has effectively
maintained oneness through the ages, stand today endangered
by dissenting forces blowing through the help Pentecostals,
fundamentalists and modernists. “Never as before has the
church the need for active Catholics who know their faith and
are willing to share it with others as found in the witness
of life of the Holy Innocents who offered their life for the
sake of Christ”, he said.
Speaking at the conference, a scripture scholar, Rev. Fr. Canice
Azuoma traced some history on the cruel massacre of the Holy
innocents as narrated by St. Matthew in his Gospel to awaken
within us the need to be in touch with the tragedies and suffering
that children are experiencing even in our world today.
Other speakers at the conference include Rev. Fr. Christian
Azubuike from Orlu diocese. He spoke on the theme “Road
to divine perfection, an example of the Holy Innocents”
and Mr. Polycarp Onwuka who spoke on the theme “Safeguarding
the sacredness of human life and family, a task facing every
Christian”. “He condemned extra judicial killings
that have pervaded our land, the incessant violence involving
our youths that result in countless deaths, all kinds of ways
of preventing the birth of children and poor equipment of our
health institutions and centers
The three days event which attracted thousands of faithful and
Priests from over one hundred parishes across the country also
witnessed the celebration of Holy Mass for the 6th year remembrance
of the Late founder of the community, Late Bro. Innocent Chima
Okorie and ten years anniversary in the priesthood of the moderator
of the community, Rev. Fr. Chrysogonus Okorie OCD, who is also
a son of Late Bro. Innocent Okorie. Other features at the event
included friendly football match between Lagos/Port Harcourt
vs Orlu / Onitsha zones of the community, candle Light/Rosary
procession, opening of a hospital for the sick built by the
community in memory of Late Bro. Innocent Okorie and a Book
presentation on the life and times of Late Bro. Innocent Okorie.
It would be recalled that Innocentian community was founded
by Bro. Innocent Chima Okorie as a religious community of Christ's
faithful, comprising of the following groups; Sons and daughters
of Mary, Religious Discussion Club, Priscilla Memorial Prayer
Group and Reparation Prayer Group. These groups were founded
by him during his life time.
After his death in 2002, the groups came together under the
name Community of Mary of the Holy Innocents (Innocentian Community).
The general secretary of the community is Miss Rita Ogudo. Presently,
the community she said has a hospital as a way of witnessing
Christ's love and compassion among the sick and the needy. They
have also a Nursery and Primary schools where needs of children
and youths are responded to.
At the close of the conference, the conference secretary, Bro.
Sunday Akpuogwu announced that the next conference shall take
place in 2010 as participants agreed to be organizing it on
two year basis. Earlier on arrival, the host Priest and parish
priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Owerri Ebeiri, Rev. Fr.
Julius Ekwueme welcomed the participants who came from far and
near to the conference. He charged them to be good ambassadors
of Christ and the church in their various parishes and dioceses
as a way of immortalizing their founder Bro. Innocent Okorie
who devoted his entire life for the service of the church.
Ahiara
Diocesan Ordination, 2008 - Bishop Chikwe cautions against ‘Dibia
mentality’
On Sat. August, 9, 2008, eleven deacons were ordained priests
inside the Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara Mbaise. The
event which started at 10 o'clock in the morning saw a lot of
priests, religious and lay faithful in attendance. Preaching
a homily at the mass, the ordaining prelate, Bishop V.A. Chikwe
reminded the deacons that they are called to be fishers of men,
to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. As good shepherds
of the flock of God, they should be ready to lay down their
lives for the sheep as the devil is trying to devour them today
through heresy, unfulfilled vow and power which do not come
from God.
“Today in the world especially in Nigeria our faith is
being eroded 'mmiri abalaa n'opi ugboguru'; pastors should be
more careful as many have left the cross of Jesus Christ for
materialism. Our people have derailed in so many ways as the
devil has come to Church to cause confusion, disguising itself
as the 'Angel of light' to water down the work of God”,
he said.
Today
the devil is no longer speaking Igbo but English in the name
of 'Spiritual attack' which he described as 'Dibia Mentality'
of our modern people. As pastor of souls, he warned them of
the glories of this world; power trends of our time, ritual
money, drug peddling, recalling the statement of the chairman
of the EFCC that many of our people today are mad as they try
to acquire money by all means. “All is grabbing, grabbing,
grabbing, no sacrifice whatsoever”
As ministers of the word of God and sacrament, they are to preach
the undiluted word of God and not what the people want to hear.
“The word of God is the truth, it is a cross and never
easy, it is not an express way”, said bishop Chikwe. Equally
as dispensers of the mysteries of Christ, he urged them to make
good use of their long seminary formation to work well for the
progress of the kingdom of God on earth.
Drawing from the readings of the day, he charged them to be
holy, pray always and make use of the various gifts of the Church
to work and uphold the unity of the Church which is the body
of Christ. Turning to the religious priests, the prelate reminded
them that they have double work, as they are not only ambassadors
of Christ and the Church but that of the great Mbaise land (Ireland
of Priests) wherever they are posted. To the people of God,
he pleaded with them to help in the training of priests as the
Church needs priests today.
He thanked Ugoeze Nwachukwu-udaku, Mrs. Anna Ugorji who helped
in training some of the candidates who were ordained that day
for their generosity while calling on others who are interested
to inquire from the secretariat both as a group or individual,
for full or partial assistance. To the parents of the ordained,
he told them to pray for them while reminding them not be obstacles
to their priestly ministry as they have totally offered their
children to God.
Finally, he prayed God to see them though in their work. Five
of the candidates belong to Ahiara Diocese, 5, to the Vocationists
Congregation while 1 belongs to the Servants of Charity Congregation.
Umuoye
People Receive their First Indigenous Priest
The entire Umuoye people in Egbulu Umuhu Enyiogugu in the Aboh
Mbaise Area Council of Imo State have been full of praise and
thanksgiving to God for choosing one of their sons as a priest
to serve in His Vineyard. In the Eucharistic celebration that
heralded the reception of Fr. Stephen C. Onyeka S.C. as the
first indigenous priest of Umuoye Community, the priest thanked
the almighty God for choosing him to serve him and humanity
in a special way as a priest. Preaching a homily at the mass
during which he presided over, Fr. Stephen said that salvation
is for every body. Every body should try to be saved, it is
not enough to be a Christian and or receive the sacraments every
day, it goes beyond that. We should let justice, good life,
fear of God and faithfulness to God to reign supreme in our
lives. There should be no division among the people of God because
we are the light of the world, the priest said.
Continuing, Fr. Onyeka made reference to St. Paul's admonition
to Christians to live good lives through faith, while drawing
example from the Canaanite woman who despite all odds stood
by her faith. He therefore urged all to always exhibit high
sense of patience, perseverance in good works as God’s
time is the best. He prayed God to continue to bless them and
give them the grace to always carry their cross.
At the reception held in his honour at Umuoye hall, the entire
community of Umuoye thanked God for elevating one of their sons
as a priest to serve in his vineyard. They expressed their gratitude
with many gifts both financial and material and prayed God to
continue to sustain him. There were admonitions from the people
and also from priests who graced the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, the parish priest St. Paul's Parish
Egbelu Umuhu Enyiogugu Fr. Paschal Ihesiaba thanked God for
the gift of the day and also for elevating their son to the
status of a priest of God in the order of Mechizedek of old.
He urged the new priest to always carry out his priestly ministry
with utmost carefulness while praying Our Mother Mary to always
intercede for him. In his response to the people's reception,
Fr. Onyeka, thanked them for their support so far and prayed
them to continue to support him with their prayers while promising
his own constant prayers to the people. Among the dignitaries
that graced the occasion were HRH/ Ugoeze I.M. Ibegbulem, Prof/Prof
Mrs. Anukam. Many priests and senior seminarians including Rev.
Sisters were in attendance. Other highlights of the occasion
were traditional dances by parish Mary League.
St.
Anthony's Parish Umunama: 58 Candidates Confirmed, As Bishop
Exhorts Youths to be Grounded in the Catholic Faith
Catholic youths have been urged to be well grounded in the faith.
The Bishop of Ahiara diocese, Most Rev. Dr. V.A Chikwe made
this call recently during his 5th pastoral visit to St. Anthony's
parish, Umunama during which he administered the sacrament of
confirmation to 58 candidates.
In his homily at the mass, the bishop laid emphasis on the need
for the youths to be acquainted with the Catholic faith and
shun faithlessness and idolatry that are speedily taking over
our present day youths. This admonition was in reaction to the
inordinate quest for miracles and easy success in life. He also
enjoined the entire faithful to remain steadfast in their faith
in God and pray consistently. He made reference to the Canaanite
woman who persevered in her prayers until God answered her request.
The importance of prayers and steadfastness in the faith cannot
be over stressed, the Bishop said.
Continuing, the prelate observed that the Catholic faithful
should cherish the treasure they have in the Catholic Church
which is the only Church founded by Jesus Christ himself. The
attributes of this true Church of Christ according to His Lordship
as they are enlisted in the bible are: it must be one, holy,
universal and Apostolic. These are the features which the true
Church of Christ must possess. He therefore called on the faithful,
especially the young people to always learn and get themselves
acquainted with the teachings of the Catholic Church as this
will help them to be closer to God and get themselves grounded
in the faith.
The bishop adviced the candidates for confirmation, to always
remember that they are by virtue of the sacrament of confirmation
soldiers and ambassadors of the Church and as such should strive
to live up to the demands of the new position they have assumed,
while praying God to continue to strengthen them in faith.
At the civic reception organized to honour the bishop, the people
expressed delight over the bishops visit to them, and pledged
their unalloyed support to the Bishop in the work he is doing
in the Diocese. In their address, the people through their parish
council voiced out their mind to the Bishop both on the positive
and negative developments in the land. The positive developments
include the sinking of water bore hole in the parish rectory,
purchasing of new parish car, building of the parish hall by
the parish CWO, and re-roofing and expansion of the Church including
other things too numerous to mention for want of space. Some
of the problems of the people as reeled out by the people included,
an advice on how to raise fund to finance some of the projects
in the parish. They finally thanked the bishop for building
St. Anthony's Hospital in their land and for posting the experienced
Hospitaliers Sisters to man the affairs of the hospital. The
people however, concretized their heart felt sentiments of gratitude
to the Bishop with some financial support as well as other food
items.
Making his response to the peoples pleas, the Bishop first of
all thanked the entire parishioners for the warm reception they
gave him and their gifts, he prayed God to reward them abundantly.
Continuing, the Bishop recalled with joy his childhood encounter
with the people of Umunama. According to him, his initial call
to the priesthood started Umunama. He pleaded with all to always
strive to give peace a pride of place in their land and to eschew
faithlessness. Furthermore, the bishop requested the people
to support in the development of the St. Anthony's model hospital
especially through land donation so that the hospital will be
expanded. In his vote of thanks, the chairman of the occasion,
thanked the bishop for his fatherly advice to the people and
promised to heed to the advice. Other events that featured to
cheer the occasion were the calisthenics and cultural dance
presented by the parish Mary League girls. The event ended with
the closing prayer said by the bishops' secretary Rev. Fr. Tony
Ezekwe at exactly 2.30 pm.
At
St. Peter's Parish Okponkume, Bishop Chikwe Confirms 93 candidates
in the faith
In accordance with the recent decree by Pope Benedict XVI which
prohibits Catholics from addressing God as Yahweh His Lordship
Most Rev Dr. V.A. Chikwe has reiterated that Catholic faithful
should not be heard addressing God with the name Yahweh either
during prayers or during singing. This he said is because the
secret names of the Most High God should not be mentioned by
any human mouth. This pronouncement was made recently during
a Eucharistic celebration that marked his first pastoral visit
to St. Peter's Catholic Parish Okponkume Ekwereazu during which
93 candidates received the Sacrament of confirmation.
In his homily at the mass, His Lordship made the congregation
to understand more the meaning of the Magisterium of the church
and the need to hold tenaciously to our faith as professed by
the Apostles. Continuing, the prelate exhorted them not to doubt
the teaching authority of the Church but to embrace it. Were
we meet any confusion we should consult the vicars of Christ
here on earth the priests and bishops and not these charlatans
who are compounding people's problems in the name of performing
miracles.
To the newly confirmed, the bishop called to always know that
they are the rock upon which the church is going to be built,
they should try as much as possible to live out the faith by
embracing good life and shunning those acts that are inimical
to the future. He finally prayed God to strengthen them in their
efforts to work for God and humanity. The grand reception held
in honour of the Bishop and his entourage by the entire Catholic
faithful of St. Peter's Okponkume had its surfeit of activities
from the entire parishioners, but its air were elsewhere. It
was in that wonderful welcome song by the parish youth that
officially ushered in our Lord Bishop and his entourage to the
platform. It was in that emotion packed calisthenics rendered
by Lady Chika Eze's tutored Holy Infant Jesus of Prague Association
during which they displayed some quintessential drama and prayers
for the Bishop. It was in that eloquent welcome address by the
parish council that ex-rayed the people's feelings over the
Bishops first pastoral visit to the parish since its creation
on September 30th 2006, giving special thanks to their ever
loving and hardworking pioneer parish priest Rev. Fr. Chris
Akuchie (Bekee). It was in the thunderous shouting of “bekee”
that greeted the arrival of Fr. Akuchie to the premises during
which other programmes were heckled to usher in Fr. Akuchie.
It was in the sense of awe that swept through the hall when
Fr. Bekee introduced one of their favourite Abigbo songs. It
was in the body language of the people, most of them groups
and some individuals who came forward with one gift or the other
to express their heart felt gratitude to his Lordship for his
love to the parish.
It was in those fatherly response and advice given by the bishop
to the people during which he appreciated the people's achievements
so far and especially, to the priests who have worked in their
parish since its creation in 2006 beginning with Fr. Akuchie
the Primer Parish Priest and Fr. Festus Enermadu the incumbent
Parish priest for their selfless services to the church. He
prayed God to always bless them and give them the courage and
strength to work more as the occasion joyfully ended with the
closing prayer said by Fr. Akuchie and the final blessing by
his Lordship.
St. Dominic's Alumni Celebrate Feast Of St. Dominic
Activities
marking this year's feast of Dominic's were recently held at
the old St., Dominic's school Ezi-East.
Introducing the Solemn Eucharistic celebration that kick-started
the whole event, the Ezi-East zonal Vicar Rev. Fr. Dr. Bernadine
Ekechukwu acknowledged the presence of all that graced this
year's feast of Dominic's. He intimated the people on the importance
of the feast of St. Dominic's, he recalled with glee, how festive
the feast used to be during the years back and expressed dissatisfaction
at the way people go about it this days. He therefore called
on the youths to make sure that the feast is rejuvenated.
While delivering a homily at the mass presided over by the Ezi-East
zonal Vicar, and a host of concelebrating priests, Fr. Robert
Ihuoma of Stella Maris Parish Egberemiri stressed the need and
importance of prayer in the lives of Christians. Drawing example
from the life of St. Dominic, Fr. Ihuoma said that St. Dominic
prayed consistently, in season and out of season, in faith and
in hope for the conversion of the Albegesian. St. Dominic distinguished
himself with such virtues as; humility, absolute faith in God,
patience, and a high sense of tolerance. The method we use today
in praying the rosary was given by St. Dominic Fr. Ihuoma observed.
Turning to the readings of the day, the man of God admonished
the people of God to emulate the Canaanite woman, who persevered
in her prayers to God despite all effort to dissuade her. He
frowned at some Catholics who lose their faith in God at the
least temptation and trial. Fr. Ihuoma went forward to admonish
the youths on the dangers of juvenile delinquency and its consequence.
He prayed them to shun acts that are deplorable and anti-social,
such as cultism, armed Robbery and other social vices. He enjoined
them to emulate the life of St. Dominic while praying God to
give all the gift of faithfulness and absolute trust in God.
Other things that featured during the mass were the offertory
processions from all the parishes in the Ezi-East as well as
the certificate of award that were given to all the Golden Jubilarians
of St. Dominic. Their 17 illustrious sons and daughters were
also hnonured at the occasion as an appreciation for their astute
efforts towards the development of the area. Other activities
that took place after the mass to mark the grand finale of the
occasion were match pass and cultural dance competition organized
by the CWO. There were also football matches both male and female
finals, presentation of trophies and prices to deserving teams.
The ceremony came to a close with the closing prayers at exactly
6.pm.
12
Convert to the Catholic Faith as 70 Couples Wed at Our Lady
Of Victory Parish, Amumara
It was a historic and a joyous day for the Catholic faithful
of our Lady of Victory's Amumara in Ezinihitte Mbaise Area Council,
as the witnessed for the first time since the creation of the
parish in 1947, a wedding of such number. The wedding ceremony
took place on August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. The Church was filled to its capacity as
people from far and near thronged the Church to witness this
epochal event. Interestingly, 12 couples out of the 70 that
were wedded were Protestants who were touched by the teachings
of the senior seminarian, Rev. Vitalis Akandu who did his apostolic
work there this year. It would be recalled that these couples
after accepting to return to the Catholic faith were baptized
and given Holy Communion.
Preaching a homily at the mass that witnessed the wedding of
the 70 couples, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Honoris Jimanze,
stressed the importance of marriage and the need for husbands
and wives to live out their marriage promises. He urged all
to see the sacrament of matrimony as a holy vocation instituted
by God and pleaded that husband and wives should live harmoniously
and train their children in the ways of Christ.
Explaining the mystery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary to the congregation, Fr. Jimanze hinted that the assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven was God's plan to preserve
from any stain the womb that gave birth to the Saviour of the
world. He traced the humility of the Virgin Mary from her parents
to the house of Joseph her most chaste spouse. The priest also
enjoined Christians to see the power in the holy Rosary and
urged all to always pray the rosary for the intercession of
our Blessed Mother Mary on the whole world.
Continuing, Fr. Honoris, exhorted the couples to love each other
as Christ loves His bride, the Church. He maintained that they
should make fear of God their hallmark while praying for the
intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary on them so that they
can overcome the temptations that may come their way especially
that of divorce.
At the end of the mass, there was merry making organized by
the parish priest during which they cut the weeding cake one
after the other. There were also entertainments which featured
cultural dances and drama presentation. Speaking at the occasion,
the parish priest poured accolades on the senior seminarian
Rev. Vitalis Akandu for making a tremendous effort to ensure
that the strayed Catholics returned to the Catholic faith and
to inculcate in the people the true meaning of marriage and
its importance among the people of God.
The entire parishioners of Our Lady of Victory's Amumara joined
the parish priest to heap praises on Rev. Vitalis Akandu for
his ingenuity and hard work and for reorientating the people
on the Catholic faith. The occasion was well attended by some
dignitaries including the knights and ladies of the Church as
well as traditional rulers. At the end of the ceremony, the
couples were officially registered in to the CMO and CWO respectively.
An
Address By The Secretary-General Of The Catholic Secretariat
Of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Otto Ekpenyong, At The 70th Birthday
Thanksgiving Mass Of His Lordship, MOST REV. DR. VICTOR CHIKWE,
Bishop Of Ahiara Diocese
Your Lordship,
Most. Rev. Victor Chikwe, the Jubilarian and Chief Celebrant
of today,
Your Grace(s),
My Lords,
Very Respected Monsignori here present,
Rev. Frs.,
Rev. Srs,
Royal fathers here present,
Government Representatives,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my immense pleasure to be in your midst today and to join you all to thank God for 70 glorious years in the life of our Chief Shepherd, Most. Rev. Dr. Victor Chikwe, Bishop of Ahiara Diocese. It is indeed fitting that all of us have been able to gather together today to show appreciation, first and foremost to God, as well as to His Lordship, because not only have the 70 years been fruitful, we have been privileged to partake of the fruits of these seventy years in many and varied ways.
Before I continue to read the rest of the address let me say something that strikes me about Ahiara Diocese, the clergy, religious, and the laity. As I was coming from Abuja to Ahiara for the Birthday celebration I prayed that somebody would show me where the famous “Ahiara Declaration” was made. I was lucky indeed because my prayer was answered. My colleague, Rev. Fr. Raphael Madu showed me the historic place and I thanked him for doing just that. But I can tell you that I have seen more than a historic site. I have seen the people who are behind the history of Ahiara, especially the people of God their clergy and religious. Let me use a story to explain my experience of Ahiara people.
A poor Nigerian family won American Lottery in 2000. Instead of flying, the father of the family decided to go by ship to America. To do this he emptied his bank account to buy the ticket. The only food the family had with them for the entire journey was “Bread and Tea.” After 2 days, the little son said to the father, “Daddy I cannot stand this any more. Nothing but bread and tea. Give me some money for real food please.” The father gave him the last 100 naira he had on him and told his son to buy something in the ship's restaurant and eat. The boy came back after 2 ½ hours smiling and very happy. He told the father, “I ate Edikang Ikong, Ukwa, goat meat and Ice cream. I feel good Daddy”. “What?” the father exclaimed. “Did you get all these with just 100 naira?” Oh, no Daddy. The food is free. It comes with the ticket. It is included in our ticket.” That is the story and it reveals something about Ahiara on the occasion of this 70th Birthday celebration of the Chief Shepherd of Ahiara Diocese. What I have seen since my arrival particularly at the football field convinced me that Ahiara Diocese under Most Rev. Dr. Victor Adibe Chikwe may be surviving on “Bread and Tea.” But the Holy Spirit is the “Edikang Ikong, Ukwa, goat meat and Ice cream” that the people of God are enjoying. The Holy Spirit came with the creation of Ahiara Diocese in 1988. He (the Holy Spirit) is part of God's plan for the Diocese. He came as it were with the ticket in 1988. I am convinced that He is behind the great things that Ahiara Diocese has accomplished so far under Bishop Victor Chikwe. At the end of the football match I said to myself “Ahiara Diocese may be very poor in material wealth but very rich in spiritual wealth and power.” I saw a happy, smiling and united people. I saw the young and the old; I saw the traditional rulers and friends from far and near. I saw the clergy, religious and the laity celebrating the life and times of their Bishop. My humble verdict is that Ahiara people love God, they love the church and God continues to bless them.
The game ended in a one-one draw with a lesson for all, especially
for, Owerri Archdiocese and Ahiara Diocese. Yes there must be
competition but we must win in harmony and solidarity to show
the world our identity as the Body of Christ under the One Shepherd
Jesus Christ who has won for us the real victory, the salvation
of our souls. My Lord Bishop Victor Chikwe, I know that left
to you, you would not want any celebration. But the matter is
God's own decision. God owns you. The people of Ahiara own you.
Allow us celebrate this 70th Birthday occasion to the greater
glory of God and the salvation of our people.
Jesus Igwe-e!
The people of Ahiara Igwe-e!
Ahiara Diocese Igwe-e!
Bishop Victor Chikwe Igwe-e!
The Clergy and Religious Igwe-e!
The Laity of Ahiara Diocese Igwe-e!
Owerri Archdiocese Igwe-e!
The Catholic Church in Nigeria Igwe-e!
In
my humble position of service as the Secretary General of the
Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the staff and I had planned
to anticipate this celebration today with a joint celebration
involving His Lordship and his spiritual twin, Most, Rev. Dr.
Felix Alaba Job, Archbishop of Ibadan and the President of the
Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria. It will interest you
to know (and for those who know to be reminded) that these two
pillars of the Nigerian Church were born on the same day, in
the same month and in the same year. We had planned for a double-barreled
celebration in Abuja for the 17th of July, to thank God for
them, as well as to thank them, for spending these years productively
in the service of God and man. However, it was difficult to
bring those two heavyweights under the same roof, on the same
day.
That notwithstanding, as Simon Peter said at the transfiguration
of Christ, it is good for us to be here. It is indeed good for
us to be here, to see fellow Bishops, family members, friends
and well wishers of His Lordship gather together to share his
joy on this great day. It is pleasant to see the good people
of Ahiara Diocese come together to appreciate this great man
who has been Chief Shepherd for the past twenty years. These
twenty years have been characterized by unprecedented growth
and development, which has indeed put the Church in Ahiara on
a very firm and solid footing, such that the future can only
get better.
On the National level, we are proud to be associated with this servant of God who has put his talents at the service of the growth of the Nigerian Church in various capacities. His Lordship’s present position as Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications underscores his continuing relevance in policy formulation and decision making at the highest level of the Church in Nigeria. Today is a good opportunity to tell you a big thank you, for all that you have been, are and will be to the Nigerian Church. More grease to your elbows!
Scripture tells us that “Our span is seventy years or eighty for those who are strong”. (Ps 89: 10). Your Lordship, from your performance thus far, it is incontrovertible that you are strong. Therefore, I will not be wrong to say that in a sense, life is just beginning for you once again. We have every reason to look forward to, and to expect more and more years of celebration and joy from you. May God continue to bless you with health of mind and body to continue the good work you have already started.
We
assure you of our prayers today and always, and on behalf of
us all at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, I wish you happy
birthday and many happy returns.
DIALO! NOONU OH BISHOP CHIKWE!
AD MLTLTOSANNOS!
Homily At The 70th Birthday Of Most Rev Dr. Victor Adibe Chikwe, At Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Ahiara, Saturday, July 26, 2008, By Rev. Fr. Dr. Ralph Madu
When
I received the invitation to preach at the 70th Birthday of
the great person we are feting today, the Most Rev Dr Victor
Adibe Chikwe, the first bishop of Ahiara Mbaise Diocese; I was
tempted to decline the offer with some wonderful excuses including
my recent vacation trip to Germany. But, the true reason is:
I dreaded the thought of the many Bishops and Monsignors, contemporaries
and Episcopal colleagues of our beloved guest of honour present
here today, whom I considered far more qualified both in age
and in experience to preach at this remarkable occasion and
milestone. But on second thought, I humbly accepted, convinced
that I could very well venture considering the personal relationship
I have (and have shared) with our honouree. I consider myself
privileged to be one of Bishop Chikwe's spiritual sons, one
who had known and lived with him since 1968, at the time he
was barely 2 years ordained a priest having been ordained on
April 17, 1966. Then I was only 12 years old and in Class 1.
Now at the age of 52 and looking back at the 40 years span that
I have come to know him, Bishop Chikwe; I have been privileged
to spending significant time with him living under his watching
eyes and guidance, I have personally witnessed him live the
ups and downs of life, and yes I have many memories and experiences
of him.
I have known the then Father Chikwe with the eye of a teenager:
as a father's boy in the then Nigeria-Biafra civil war, as a
house boy of a one time Biafran Army Chaplain of the 64th Brigade
Ezinnachi, Okigwe and Ginger Brigade Ofeme, Umuahia. Having
been born and lived in Lagos before the Civil war and having
seen only such White priests as Fr Rice, Fr Kettle, Fr Branif;
meeting and living with Father Chikwe who happened to be the
third black priest I had come to know in my very young life
then, after Msgr. Peter Onyebuchi and Msgr. Boniface Nwachukwu,
remain for me an indelible experience. I have known him also
with the eye of a first year senior seminarian when hewas our
financial administrator at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu.
Lastly, I have come to know Bishop Chikwe again on very personal
levels, still admiring him and being blessed by his paternal
love, care, guardianship and continued mentoring. First and
foremost, he (then Father Chikwe) preached at my First Mass
in 1983. Second, under his pastoral leadership as President
of the Association of Nigerian Indigenous Priests, ANIME, Owerri
Diocese, I served as Secretary of the said diocesan presbyterium.
And now, by the Grace of God, he is the current Episcopal Chairman
of the Social Communications Directorate of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of Nigeria, a directorate I also happen to be a member
in my humble office as the Director of Communications of the
Nigerian Catholic Secretariat.
My dear brothers and sisters, you can now appreciate and see
the reason why I strongly felt that I could venture on this
remarkable occasion and celebration to trace the profile of
this devout, humble, very simple, courageous, innovative, and
outstanding and very caring human person, priest of God and
now first bishop of Ahiara Diocese, one who has made rural “bishopricing”
at least in the Igboland, an enviable office and role.
In the religious epic movie, Mohammed-Messenger of God, we see
a lot of stunning desert scenes, intense debates and violent
battles. But nowhere do we ever see the Prophet Mohammed himself.
Mohammed is never shown on the screen because Sharia law forbids
his depiction. Sometimes we see his walking stick, but not the
prophet himself. Sometimes he is asked questions but he doesn't
say anything in reply.
How different is the Christian understanding and approach to
Jesus Christ very vividly enunciated by the author of the letter
to the Hebrews, “In times past, God spoke in fragmentary
and varied ways to our fathers through the prophets; In this,
the final age, he has spoken to us through his son” (Heb
1: 1-6).
What the author of the Letter to the Hebrews says above is very
much evidenced in the call and mission of Bishop Chikwe to shepherd
the flock of God in his home diocese, Ahiara, where the people
through their first bishop have gone beyond hearing about Jesus
the way we heard about Mohammed in the movie; where people have
gone beyond seeing Christ's walking stick or being told that
he is present in the tabernacle of some church but have seen
and felt him in their bishop, a man with a deep sense of the
sacred, always available, ever listening and very caring.
Thus what we are doing today is not a sentimental celebration.
It is the expression of an avowed commitment to give thanks
to God for the very many favours and successful life he has
given the Most Rev Victor Chikwe. Thus this is a thanks-giving
service and in every respect so.
At 70, the very first thing that comes to mind, both as celebrant
and among those who celebrate with you is that it is a moment
of thanks giving. In addition, at 70, one is not only celebrating
a birthday; in fact, a year in the life of a 70 year old is
usually filled with anniversaries. The 70 year old rejoices
at attaining the biblical full human life span which is three
scores plus ten. At 70, one has had many experiences in life:
freedom, justice, fairness, goodness, passion and their contraries;
sometimes in their bounties but also sometimes in their wretchedness.
At 70, one would have developed some interests, but also overcome
so many others. At 70, one has so many stories to tell. A 70th
Birthday is a time to relax. But it is also a time to reflect,
to reflect, of, course, on all the personal blessings; the blessing
of the priesthood, the blessing of the bishopric, success in
the ministry, and all the positive impact on the life of many
men and women, etc. etc. A 70th Birthday is also a time for
wishes and hopes, and a time for serious reflection on the privilege
of having been part of a history. It is a time to 'look back
and indeed look forward in the presence of family members, friends
and well-wishers in a unique and unforgettable joy. That is
why a 70th Birthday is a challenge of thanksgiving.
At the same time, as the 70 year old gives God thanks for his
life, the younger people pay him tribute. That is to say, a
70th Birthday is an important time to listen. At 70, one listens
as people tell him how he has lived his life and what be would
be remembered for. They want to tell you how you taught them
to work hard and to do a job right; how you taught them to respect
authority and never to talk back; how you taught them the fear
of the Lord, which the Holy Bible says is the beginning of wisdom.
They will also remember and tell you how you taught them to
be good and God-fearing priests. They will remember that you
taught them that when life gets hard, they should not just sit
idly feeling sorry for themselves, but that they should instead
do what they must do etc. etc.
Let me quickly point out that 70 years can be a short time or
a long time depending from which point you are looking at it,
either from above or from below. Surely there are some teenagers
here for whom a 70 year old is really an old man (Old, Agadi,
Okongwo). Some such people here now might be whispering to one
another, “Anyi amaghi na Dee Chikwe wu di agadi”!
But to those older than he, most of whom are also here, the
70 year old is nevertheless a young man. Such people would be
saying, “Lele, Bishop Chikwe wu di nwata”! For this
class of people, 70 years is like yesterday, come and gone.
Did not a certain famous Nigerian septuagenarian boast that
after all, life begins at 70?
However one may look at it, the fact remains that 70 years is
no small thing, especially if you packed so much into it as
our celebrant, Bishop Chikwe, has surely done. What has Bishop
Chikwe done all these 70 years? Much! For the first 30 years
of his life, the period before his ordination, I have little
or no information. On the remaining 40 years, I have some real
information, first hand information for that matter, which one
cannot pretend to exhaust in only one sermon. Hence, we can
only begin to say a little about who Bishop Chikwe is and what
manner of man he is.
As already hinted, I first met His Lordship in 1968. He was
then a Biafran Army chaplain in charge of 64 Brigade Ezinnachi,
Okigwe and Ginger Brigade Ofeme, Umuahia. Fr. Chikwe was then
living at the abandoned Ugwaku Ezinnachi Maternity home not
far from the 64 Brigade HQ. I know most of you will now be trying
to imagine our celebrant 40 years ago, a priest in army uniform,
riding a Volkswagen Beetle car and always shuttling between
Okigwe and Umuahia war fronts. He was a very important person
in both Barracks and in the neighbourhood, almost as important
as the commanders. Fr Chikwe would instruct and oversee the
distribution of relief to refugees and administer the Sacraments
to them. Fr. Chikwe constantly baptized and administered the
sacraments to so many soldiers before they set off for the battle
front and occasionally visited the Attack HQs to celebrate Mass
for them and to hear their confessions.
In all these, Fr. Chikwe showed authentic love, he was very
sensitive to their needs and hurts, he reached out with both
material help and psychological support, and offered friendship
and understanding. While to the soldiers he was both a priest
and a colleague, to the refugees and natives he was loving and
most caring father. This is my resume of the wartime activities
of our celebrant that span through the three years of the civil
war. I have taken time to give this account in order for us
to better appreciate the Chikwe of the later years.
After the war in 1970, stripped of the army uniform, Fr. Chikwe
resumed peacetime pastoral duties. The rest of his movements
and pastoral achievements as, parish priest of St Joseph's parish,
Uzoagba; one of the longest serving parish priests of Mount
Cannel, Emekuku; the Financial Administrator of Bigard Memorial
Seminary, Enugu; Member of the State Education Board Mbaitolillkeduru;
Chairman of Owerri Diocesan Marriage Tribunal; Chaplain of Owerri
Diocesan Christian Women Organization; Chairman of the Owerri
Diocesan Music Comission; the president of the Association of
Nigerian Indigenous Priests, ANIME, Owerri diocese; you all
know as well as I do.
AHIARA DIOCESE AND BISHOP CHIKWE
Just as not much can be said about the history of the people
of God, Israel, without mention of the servant of God, Moses,
not much can be said of Ahiara Diocese without reference to
Bishop Chikwe. His elevation to the bishopric can very well
be likened to the call of Moses from tending the flock of Jethro,
his father-in-law to leading the Israelites, (Exodus 3-7). It
can also be likened to the call of Gideon from beating out wheat
in the wine press to leading the Israelites out of the hands
of the Midians (Judges 6:1-6, 11-24). Both, like our celebrant,
were called to lead their own native people into prominence.
On January 6, 1988, precisely 20 years ago, our celebrant was
ordained the first bishop of Ahiara by the Servant of God, Pope
John Paul II in the haloed Basilica of St. Peter, Rome. Again,
I was there as his boy, then from Belgium, to carry his bag
and accompany him through the various offices he had to enter
in Rome. I report here without fear of error that the words
of St Augustine from several of his homilies, have found concrete
evidence in the life and Episcopal ministry of Bishop Chikwe
in these 20 years:
In 20 years, Bishop Chikwe has built and helped to transform
this rural and then empty diocese into an enviable place. His
Lordship has brought not only spiritual up-liftment but also
development of the whole human person, a holistic approach to
pastoral work into the diocese. His charisma and tireless attitude
to work have aroused lethargic people to action; he has always
gingered people from passivity to enthusiasm. In fact, only
people who knew the state the diocese was at inception can value
what is being said at this juncture.
In 20 years, the diocese has grown from 19 parishes to 70. Ahiara
Diocese under Bishop Chikwe, has such a rich variety of both
indigenous and foreign priests as well as men and women religious
communities and can boast of having one of the largest crops
of highly enlightened priests in the country. The vocation boom
in Ahiara is such that the diocese is correctly designated as
“the Ireland of Nigeria”.
Bishop Chikwe has been able to begin and bring this magnificent
Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral to this near-completion level
that we find it today. I remember when his Lordship started
this gigantic project, he had always believed that even though
the building of the Cathedral might not be completed in one
day but that it would not go on forever. In short, he had always
prayed and aimed at completing it in record time.
What do we then say about the glorious Spiritual Year seminary
in Enyiogugu, what about the daunting pastoral centre cum priests'
retirement home in Nguru, the many schools, convents and health
facilities dotting the entire diocese? He was one of the first
to bring telephone services to Mbaise. Ahiara Diocese established
and still maintains the most viable telephone and internet services
in the area. In case you do not know, Dee Chikwe is one of the
very few people in this country that derive more than 90% of
their electricity from the solar energy.
My dear friends, I have been led by all these to summarize my
impression of our celebrant in one word, SUPERMAN. He is a Superman.
The movie SUPERMAN is a modern messianic myth. Superman is a
new messiah sent by his father with the following instruction;
Earthlings can be a great people, they lack only the light.
For this reason I've sent them you, my only son.
The remarkable statistics of the life of our celebrant we have
briefly sketched very clearly interprets his first name, Victor,
a conqueror and... Shows how very much he is brave man, a bulldozer,
a pathfinder. It sends a message to people that there is no
such thing as inevitability. From his characteristic Mbaise
trait of toughness and courage we have learnt there are times
when a Christian has to fight like a soldier in war or like
an athlete in a contest; like a person born in poverty or like
someone with a handicap. We have learnt that there are times
when we have to be bold, not timid; aggressive, not passive;
daring not hesitant. Thus far, we can see that there are a lot
about the celebrant for which we need to give thanks and glory
to God.
However, in the Book EVEREST THE HARD WAY, Chris Bonnington
one of the world's greatest mountain climbers, tells the story
of human weakness, the account of how he and his team climbed
the insurmountable Southeast face of Mt. Everest. At 29,000
feet, Mt Everest is the highest mountain in the world. Bonnington
himself did not make it to the top of Mt Everest. Four of his
colleagues did, but only three came down. He writes;
At 25,000 Ft, you're using the oxygen mask. Every single step
takes will power and the most of your physical exertion. You
command yourself to take twenty paces upward without a rest.
Most of the time you make only eighteen before falling down
in snow in exhaustion. This experience recounted by one of the
greatest mountain climbers, compels me, at this juncture, to
make a bold statement. I am going to advise my master, Bishop
Chikwe. Generally it is not safe for an inferior to advise a
superior. It is not safe for a younger person to admonish an
elder especially if he is a bishop and the younger one is a
mere priest, Fr ntakiri, like me. But to play safe, I would
rather advise him in the name of the very many people in this
cathedral who are older than the bishop, those who are 70 and
above.
My advice, or rather your advice, is that His Lordship should
go easy, Festina lente (Latin), Langsam langsam (German), Nwayo
Nwayo (Igbo). Even though a certain 70 year old boasted that
life, after all, begins at 70, I have not attained 70 yet, but
some people who have clocked it have told me that at that age
the old body is no longer what it used to be. At 70, the one
time energetic body begins to slow down and therefore expects
its owner to do the same. The practical consequences of overtaxing
the body at 70 are very staggering. My Lord, your duty, to your
body is no longer optional but essential, at least for the sake
of your flock that love and therefore care for your wellbeing.
For as you know, My Lord, “uneasy lies the head that wears
the crown”. Surely the crown does not weigh less at 70.
No! I imagine that it weighs heavier at that age.
Permit me brothers and sisters to congratulate the Church of
Ahiara for yet another positive development in their life. I
congratulate you, the clergy, the Religious men and women, the
laity and in particular the CWO whose national president is
from Ahiara, for organizing this beautiful birthday celebration
for your bishop. Because of the unrivalled love you have for
him, you insisted on having this event in this elaborate manner
even when the bishop, in his simplicity, had requested to have
it simple. For the sake of that same love, you have done a lot
for him these 70 years. My appeal is that you continue to support
him with your prayers in the years that lie ahead. The bishop
needs also our moral and material support. He can also manage
your criticisms if they are constructive and not destructive
and nasty. In all cases, the Bishop needs our understanding
and good will.
I congratulate each and every one, for all we have been to the
celebrant. As we have come with joy on this feast day of Sts.
Joachim and Anna the parents of Mama Maria, as we have also
come in the spirit of St. Paul whose commemorative year we have
just inaugurated, my prayer is that the gift of oneself that
is called for in all these celebrations, urge us to give our
lives and our resources more and more, to the service of God
and the Church.
Finally, our dear Bishop, I wish on behalf of all of us present
in this cathedral, also on behave of your many other friends
and well-wishers who could not be at this celebration, to congratulate
you on your 70th birthday. Hip! Hip! Hip! Hip! Hip! May God
in his immeasurable richness grant you many more healthy and
flourishing years. Amen. AD MULTOS ANNOS.