Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Aguata, the Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor has bemoaned what he described as the high rate of idolatry among the youths despite the obvious increase in the number of churches in the society.
Ezeofor expressed the concern while declaring open the maiden Aguata Diocesan lecture series with the theme, ‘Culture, Tradition and the Gospel’ at the cathedral church of Saint John Ekwulobia.
The bishop said parents and ministers of God were to blame for the high rate of idolatry among the youths, calling on priests to rise to the occasion.
According to him, the Aguata Diocese decided to take the lead in organizing lecture series on Culture, Tradition and Gospel because there is a need to enlighten the youths more on the difference between culture, tradition and the gospel.
Describing culture as people’s identity, the Bishop, who doubles as National Chairman, Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) cautioned against misconceptions between culture, tradition and the gospel in order not to bring a threat to society.
He called on Christians to always see themselves as living gospel by engaging in those acts capable of winning souls for Christ.
Delivering a lecture on ‘Building Ancestral Heritage and Christian Faith’, Prof Kanayo Nwadialor of the Department of Religion and Human Resources, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka regretted the gradual fading away of respect for elders from the Igbo society.
Nwadialor argued that nothing is wrong in using Igbo and native names to baptize a child in the church, stressing that some native names are given to a child due to circumstances.
He clarified the notion that the use of kola nut in celebration, especially in the church, is idolatry, calling on Christians to seek ways of encouraging those cultures not antithetical to development and the gospel.
Also speaking, Ven Dr Emmanuel Uzuegbunam, also of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka regretted the callous and exploitative tendencies of the present-day church, cautioning the people against going back to the ancient foundation of their forefathers, which he said has no benefits.
“Many youths are going back to idolatry because the church has disappointed them through actions,” he said.
Uzuegbunam, who identified the problem of Ndigbo as identity crisis, called for the return to personal sacrificial orientation to save the present generation.
Chairman of Aguata Diocesan lecture committee, Ven Dr Steve Nnadi described the lecture series as an expository into culture, tradition and gospel, calling on participants to always differentiate between culture, tradition and gospel for enhanced development of the society.
The event, which featured an interactive session, had in attendance president of Aguata Diocesan Women’s Ministry, Mrs Chinyere Ezeofor, President Aguata Diocesan Council of Knights, Sir Obiora Okeke, former President General joint council of Knights Church of Nigeria, Sir Isaiah Ezezika and Director of Media and Communications, Diocese of Aguata, Abuchi Nwozor.
