By Staff Reporter
Uromi Diocesan Laity Seminar/Book Launch was held at St Anthony Cathedral, Uromi, on September 3, 2016. The programme of activities was as follows:
i. Arrival/registration of delegates.
ii. Mass celebrated by the Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr Hilary Odenore, who represented the Bishop. The Vicar for Laity, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Ewah was also present.
iii. Book Launch
iv. Lectures delivered by Rev. Fr. Ambrose Obaze on the topic: THE GOAL OF A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN (PHIL 3:12), which he outlined as knowing, loving and serving God.
Responding, the President of the Diocesan Laity Council, Prof (Mrs.) E.O. Omoregie thanked the guest speaker on behalf the house for the thought-provoking lecture. A few questions were entertained before going into the second lectured written by Rev. Fr. Mario Aigbefo, and delivered by Mr. A.A. Idonin. The title of the lecture was TREAT HIM LIKE A PAGAN OR TAX COLLECTOR – THE ONE CONDITION FOR GOD’S MERCY ON US. The import of the lecture is that we should learn from Jesus Christ how to treat people like sinners and tax-collectors. Not to abandon them to their fate of destruction as some people think, but to show mercy and initiate tireless attempts at reconciliation until the person is converted to God just as Jesus did for us by even sacrificing his life to convert us to God.
COMMUNIQUÉ
At the end of the Seminar, a communiqué was issued as follows:
The entire lay faithful of the catholic Diocese of Uromi, under the auspices of Uromi Diocesan Laity Council gathered together as a family of God’s people to deliberate on the issues relating to the church: CHURCH AND THE MERCY OF GOD, which is in line with the declaration of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, by His Holiness, Pope Francis I
In consideration of the keynote address by the Bishop, Most Rev. (Dr) Donatus Ogun, and the thought-provoking lectures delivered by Rev. Fr. Ambrose Obaze and Rev. Fr. Mario Aigbefo respectively, the following resolutions were reached
* That the flourishing flocks (Laity) should be the joy of their shepherds in accordance with the life style of St. Gregory the Great.
* That Christians should extend their hands of Mercy to everyone including unbelievers to promote evangelism
* That we should practice both spiritual and corporal works of mercy in our daily life.
* That we should initiate total reconciliation with those who wrongs us and never give up on them.
In conclusion, all Christians are called upon to be merciful at all times like our heavenly father, and in accordance with the words of the Scriptures “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt 5:7). The Vicar for the Laity, Very Rev. Fr. Dan Ewah and the President of the Diocesan Laity Council – Prof Mrs. E.O. Omoregie appreciated the Cathedral for hosting the event, delegates from various parishes and mass – centres and all those who made the seminar a huge success.
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