Church To Punish Members For Participating In ‘Idolatrous Ceremonies’

The Anglican Diocese of Ohaji/Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state said it would sanction members found participating in wake-keep, ‘Owu Okorosha’ festival or any other idolatrous ceremonies. The church announced the resolution at the end of its 3rd Session and 1st Synod of the Diocese held at St.Thomas Church, Ohoba-Ohaji, Imo. The resolution is contained in a 13-point Communiqué jointly signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Collins Oparaojiaku and the Deputy Registrar, Mr Noel Chukwukadibia. It condemned what it called the “indiscriminate practise of idolatrous act” in some parts of the diocese and the ‘eight days merriment’ practised by its members prior to a burial ceremony. The church, therefore, recommended a service of songs between 4p.m. and 7p.m. for the family of any of its bereaved members before burial. It called on the State Government to have a rethink in its plan to relocate any of the Faculty of study from Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwu, Ohaji. It said no faculty should be moved to any other local government or political zone in the state because it would send wrong signals and impression on the diocese.

Anglican priests at the Synod Opening 2013

It drew the attention of government to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) which had yet to accredit some of the courses run by the institution. The church, however, commended President Goodluck Jonathan on the declaration of state of emergency in three states in the North to check the Boko Haram insurgency. The communiqué also urged the President to involve alternative energy supply sources such as coal and wind to boast energy supply options in the country. [NAN]