As Christians all over the world commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev Hilary Odilichukwu Okeke, has taken a swipe on Christians on the seeming rising spate of idol worship and neo-paganism.
Okeke in three-pages Easter message titled “New Way of Life with Jesus Christ risen from the dead,” urged Christians to be committed and return to God Almighty by jettisoning idolatry in every ramifications, because “all baptized persons in the Church of Christ should reflect on the new way of life expected of baptized persons. Easter, the celebration of the solemnity of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of our baptism and of our new way of life.”
The prelate while acknowledging that the people had customs, traditions and cultural practices before the coming of Christianity, argued that most had been refined and all the devilish aspects removed, and the Church accepts them.
On title chasing by Christians, the Catholic Bishop stressed that there was a standard law that any Catholic who wishes to take any title must sign an undertaking that no pagan rituals or idolatrous sacrifices would be involved, or such person would be excommunicated, but it would be best for Christians to stay away from such.
When asked if the seeming return of idol worship was a failure of the Church, Okeke disclosed that “The Church has not failed, instead it’s the people that have failed in choosing to do what they want. The church teaches and cannot force anyone.”
But in his Easter Message entitled Touch your Neighbour with Love, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State urged Christians to reach out and touch their neighbours with love, because according to him, there is no greater manifestation of unconditional love than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind which the feast of Easter represents.
Obiano in a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, James Eze posited that the, “Essence of Easter is love. There’s no incident in known history that is higher than a man laying down his own life for his neighbours. This is why Easter is about the love we show to our neighbours, no matter who they are.
“In dying on the cross, Jesus Christ demonstrated sacrificial love. In rising from the dead, he gave us hope and sealed our salvation. So, there can be no doubt that it is only love that can heal our broken world. And with love, we can make the society a better place for everyone.
“We are at a point in our political development when some of our most intimidating challenges can be solved by a simple act of love. Love for our country and love for our neighbours and fellow citizens. We must demonstrate that love today. That is the spirit and essence of Easter.”
But the Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, described all those Christians who prefer to assume a holy state during the Easter period and immediately return to their old sinful ways once the celebration is over as hypocrites.
Ezeokafor in his Easter message urged Nigerians to shun corruption and live a righteous life, worthy of emulation in the spirit of Easter celebration, which he insisted is a time when Christians all over the world reflected on Christ’s sufferings and eventual death and resurrection.
He described corruption and immorality as acts detested by God, capable of leading God’s people to hell fire, despite the supreme price that Christ paid for mankind on the Cross of Calvary.
The Catholic prelate however disagreed with religious leaders who professed prosperity and taboo against suffering and difficulty, describing such teachings as misleading, contending that Christians as followers of Christ, should see suffering and difficulties as part of the journey to eternity.
He noted that Christ suffered and won victory for mankind and that in the same way, people faced difficulties in life, with the hope of coming out triumphantly and happy at the end, should trust in God by emulating Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane who, despite his travails, did not give up.
