NSUKKA DIOCESE CELEBRATES THE INVESTITURE OF 7 MONSIGNORS

By Alphonsus N. Ogili

St. Theresa's Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, was filled to the brim on Saturday, June 25, 2016, by priests, Rev. Sisters, members of the Diocese, family members, friends and well wishers, who assembled to witness the historic investiture of 7 new Monsignors of the Diocese.

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka which has bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah as its spiritual leader celebrated the Investiture for Very Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Chuka Ugwu, Rev. Msgr. Bernard Ikembuchukwu Ngwoke, Rev. Msgr.George Uchechukwu Dine, and Rev. Msgr.Anthony Ezenta Eze. Others are Rev. Msgr. Fidelis John Ede Mama, Rev. Msgr. Sylvester Chukwuma Ugwu (Kobina) and Rev. Msgr. Donatus Emeka Ogudo.

At the ceremony, the new Monsignors, named earlier this year in April, joyfully received their parchments delivered by Pope Francis from Father Bishop, honouring them as chaplains of His Holiness after he introduced each of them with a heart-warming biography.

Bishop Onah, in his homily during the Holy Mass of the investiture that brought to 9 the number of living monsignors in Nsukka Diocese, praised God for the appointment of the 7 new Chaplains of His Holiness and congratulated
them on their award, reminding them that their present elevation was a call for consistent selfless service, fidelity to the Church and untiring contributions to the general growth of the Church.

Clearing the air on the rumour that Pope Francis has abolished the title of Monsignor Bishop Onah noted: "Pope Francis did not abolish the title of Monsignors but only gave strict regulations pertaining priests who can be made Monsignors."

Still on a note of encouragement for the new Monsignors Father Bishop added: "none of us deserves to be honoured in the church. However, what is happening today is not the will of man, but rather, it is the will of God. Praying for the Pope, with the Pope and for the church is your major role.

The Spiritual Leader finally sent a warning note to those who might see the honour as a means of boasting but enjoined them to keep on working for God even more harder saying that God's grace has touched them through the hands of His Holiness urging the entire faithful to remain steadfast in their faith in the Church.

Immediately after the investiture, each of the new Monsignors held a grand reception at the podium of the Diocese for family members, friends and well wishers who presented different types of gifts to the celebrants.

Msgr. E. Ugwu was ordained a priest on July 26th, 1980. Msgr. Ngwoke became a priest on December 8th, 1974. Msgr. George Dine became a Rev. Fr. on April 29th, 1973. That of Msgr. Eze was on July 8th, 1978. Msgr. Mama became a catholic priest on August 8th, 1984. Msgr. S. Ugwu had his priestly ordination on July 29th, 1979. While that of Msgr. Ogudo was on April 13th, 1975.

Note that it is on the proposal of the Local Bishop that the Pope grants this honour to Catholic Diocesan Clergy. The conferment of the honour is subject to criteria of the Holy See that include a minimum age among priests who have rendered valuable service to the Church, or who provide some special function in Church governance.