Tight Security as Cleric Sponsors 53 Couples in Mass wedding
In view of insecurity in some parts of the country, there was heavy presence of security personnel in and around New Nyanya, in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State, where over Fifty Couples were sponsored by a catholic priest to mark his tenth anniversary of priesthood.
At the end of the ceremony, the Public Relations Officer of St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church, New Nyanya, Mr. Ewache John Ajefu said
Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja-Anyembugu, Parish Priest In-Charge, extended the gesture to the Fifty-three(53) couples to allow a good number of parishioners of the church benefit from the several sacraments to enable them to worship their God faithfully.
Fr. Anyembugu, who led a pack of ten other priests and a Reverend Sister, including a retinue of catechists and church leaders said the development would enable them to receive the sacrament of holy matrimony apart from getting more blessings and favour from God.
The priest called on the couple to continue to be patient, tolerate one another for them to have a peaceful home, adding that marriage was all about endurance and patience. “I have decided to sponsor this church marriage for 53 couples who indicated their interest to have their marriage blessed in the church to give them a sense of belonging as well as to enable them to receive the sacrament of the holy matrimony.
“The importance of church marriage cannot be over-emphasised as it will promote peace among the couples and also will enable them to get more blessings and God’s favour.” Soja-Anyembugu, called on the couples and other Nigerians to live exemplary lives by inculcating moral values in their children in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the country”.
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He also advised Christians and other Nigerians against engaging in unruly behaviours and other sharp practices in the interest of peace to inherit the kingdom of heaven. He added that no religion preached violence and hatred but all religion preached peace, unity and forgiveness, hence the need for all Christians in Nigeria to live a life worthy of emulation for the overall development of the country. The Parish priest quoted many verses in the bible that preached love, affection, adding that the hell fire awaited those that refused to seek for forgiveness and shun evil acts while on earth. “Without peace, no nation can experience meaningful development and no nation or society can develop in an atmosphere of rancor and confusion, he said.
“It is only when we forgive each other and shun evil acts that there will be permanent peace. “I urge all of us to continue to pray for the peaceful co-existence among the people of the diverse ethnic, religious and political groups in the country,” he said. The cleric urged Nigerians to continue to pray for leaders our leaders to overcome the challenges facing humanity and the society at large. Soja-Ayembugu called on the members of the church and Nigerians to be law abiding and respect constituted authorities and engage in activities that would promote peace and unity in the country.
The parish priest restated his commitment to continue to initiate good policies and programmes that would promote peace and unity in the society.
By Extension, the Priest also is billed to wed over Eighty(80)couples in Akwanga, also in Nasarawa state, his home town soon, where many would embrace several sacraments to make them worthy members of the church.
By PRNigeria
