By Ononye VC
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke on Thursday hosted the Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Lawyers who celebrated their end of year thanksgiving.
The ocassion started with a mass inside the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha and was presided by the Archbishop who was assisted by chaplain of the association,Rev Fr Justin Ileka, Secretary to the Archbishop Rev Fr Emmanuel Onunkwo and former chaplain of the lawyers Rev Fr Titus Nnabugwu.
In his homily,the Archbishop eulogized members of the association for their apostolate and sacrifice in fighting for the good of the church.
He likened the lawyers to a kind of knighthood who have devoted their time,talent and resources to fight for the interest of the church.
The Archbishop said the church is like a football game where every player is important but must play his wing creditably and cooperate with other players to score a goal.
“In the church,no wing is unimportant for this journey to salvation.From wherever you are,you can assist the poor and the marginalized.You can defend the church which is now like an endangered specie.Some who want to excercise their rascality come to fight the church because they have been compromised.”
The Archbishop thanked the lawyers for remaining steadfast in their association adding that any one or more of them can attain sainthood through their selfless services to the society.
In his remarks,the President of Catholic Lawyers Association, Archdiocese of Onitsha,Sir,Barr Azubike Anazor promised that the association will remain committed in supporting the church when beckoned upon.He congratulated the Archbishop on his 70th birthday,reminding the Archbishop that the Association was fully represented during his 70th birthday celebration.
Others who made remarks at the event include the chaplain of the association Rev Fr Justin Ileka who hailed the Archbishop for making out time to celebrate the mass inspite of his very tight schedule.
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