The Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Toochukwu Ukwuoma, on Thursday 1st April 2010, celebrated the 2010 Chrism Mass and Cathedraticum with the Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha, the Priests, the Religious and the entire Lay faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu. The Bishop, who was consecrated on 21^st June 2008, presided over the Mass, assuming his rightful position as the Chief Shephered of the Diocese. This becomes his second Chrism Mass and Cathedraticum as the Bishop of Orlu Diocese.

The Mass started at 9: 00 am dot with the Procession of the Bishops, Priests, Deacons and other minor Ministers into the Cathedral. The Cathedral was filled to the brime with a great crowd of the Religious and Lay faithful from the various Parishes and Institutions in the Diocese of Orlu and beyond.

In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the principal mystery the church celebrates today at the Chrism Mass as the Institution of the Priesthood, where we bless the 3 oils the Church uses in her Pastoral care of the people. The oils include: Oil of the sick (Oleum Infirmaorum), oil of the Catecumen, and Holy Chrism. He emphasized more on the institution of the Priesthood. He wished the Priests of the Diocese a happy feast day and reminded them that they are only instruments in the hands of God for the service of the Church and the entire people of God.

Speaking further, the bishop appreciated the efforts of the Priests working in the Diocese for their Pastoral concern for the Church in Orlu and the people of God. He thanked all who work in the various places especially those who work in the more difficult places and assignments in the Diocese. He acknowledged and explained the Priestly sacrifice with the allegory of a burning Candle. According to him, as the candle burns itself away that others may see, so also the Priest sacrifices himself for the common good of the people of God. He therefore encouraged the Priests to be always cheerful, dedicated to duty, friendly and diligent in their Pastoral care of the sick and the aged. He reminded the Priests of the need to carry every body along, especially the Youths and other organs of the Church in the discharge of their duties. The Bishop charged the Priests to go back to their duty posts with renewed vigour as they renew their Priestly vows to today. They should work with ever renewed strength, zeal and courage like the early missionaries like Bishop Joseph Shanahan, Bishop Anthony Nwedo of Umuahia Diocese and others. They should be bold and not timid in the discharge of their Pastoral ministry. They should preach the Gospel with passion for the Word of God, loving as Christ loved.

He advised the Religious working in the Diocese to be more diligent in their various assignments for the common good of the Diocese. He finally reminded the Faithful that Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu is our old Jewish Temple. Therefore, as people go to the Jewish Temple for Pilgrimage, so also, we all have gathered today for our own Pilgrimage in this Cathedral. This is our own Pilgrimage today. It should be an annual event for all.

ELEVEN NEW PARISHES CREATED FOR THE DICOESE OF ORLU:

During the Homily, the Bishop announced the creation of eleven new Parishes for the Diocese of Orlu. These 11 new Parishes were formally Stations now raised to the Parish Status. They include: St. Joseph's Parish Ejezie Arondizuogu and St. Mary's Parish Aniche-Uno Arondizuogu carved out from St. James Parish Arondizuogu, St. Anthony's Parish Umudioka-Ukwu carved out from St. Joseph's Parish Umuna, St. Joseph's Parish Ezioha Amaifeke carved out from St. Mary's Parish Amaifeke, Sacred Heart Parish Obiohia carved out from Holy Trinity Parish Ogboko, St. John's Parish Ubachima 1 Awo-Omamma carved out from C.K.C Parish Awo-Omamma, St. John's Parish Umuezennachi Ihioma carved out from Regina Pacis Parish Ihioma, St. Joseph's Parish Okpo na Akuma carved out from St. Michael's Parish Nkume, St. Peter's Parish Uzinaumu Mgbidi carved out from St. Joseph's Parish Mgbidi, St. Patrick's Parish Ezeogwu Awo-Idemili and St. Gregory's Parish Ubahaeze Awo-Idemili carved out from C.K.C Parish Awo-Idemili. These new Parishes will soon be inaugurated.

SPECIAL GIFTS TO SOME PRIESTS BY THE BISHOP:

The bishop gave 3 Priests – Rev. Frs. Modestus Onyewuenyi, Cornelius Ekwebelem and Cosmas Udogu special gifts for their good works which he, the bishop has chosen to reserve in his pectore and would not like disclose now till an opportune time.

RESULT OF THE LAST YEAR’S (2009) CATHEDRATICUM:

The Bishop equally announced the result of the last year’s Cathedraticum. It is as follows:

1^st Position -                St. Mary’s Parish,Umuaka

1st Position -                Holy Trinity Parish Orlu

2^nd Position -               St. Mary's Parish Amaifeke

3^rd Position -                St. Patrick's Parish Amucha

4^th Position -                St. Theresa's Parish Uli

5^th Position -                St. Gregory's Parish Amaigbo              

6^th Position -                St. Michael's Parish Urualla

7^th Position -                St. Michael's Parish Nkume

8^th Position -                St. Mary’s Parish, Obodoukwu

9^th Position -                St. Joseph's Parish Umuhu Okabia

10^th Position -              St. Paul's Parish Amiri.

The Parish Priests of these Parishes received certificate from the Bishop as token of appreciation for their efforts.

The Bishop further pleaded with the People of God to be at peace with one another and to avoid every action that may cause the breach of peace in the various communities and Parishes. He also made special and passionate appeal for assistance in the on-going project of the establishment of the Diocesan Priests' Retirement Home (Domus Clero) and in the smooth running and mentainance of our Minor Seminaries, the training of our Seminarians, mentainance of the Cathedral and other diocesan projects. He equally challenged the lay faithful in their various groups to live harmoniously with their priests.

The Bishop finally thanked the various committees and statutory bodies that work for the common good of the diocese: the Pastoral Council, various Organs of the Diocese - C.F.O., C.W.O., CYON and Mary League Girls, Parish Council of the various Parishes in the Diocese and all who sacrifice their time, talent and treasure for the good of the Church in Orlu Diocese. He thanked especial the Finance Policy Committee lead by Very Rev. Fr. Finian Nwaozor, The Health Policy Committee lead by Very Rev. Fr. Fredrick Nnabuife, and the Merrit Award Committee lead by Rev. Fr. Kenneth Amasiatu.

Finally, the Bishop announced and as well reminded all about the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Bishop Gregory Ochiagha to mark the 50th anniversary of his Priestly Ordination, scheduled to hold on the 24th of August 2010.