Catholic Bishop Ban Priests from Organizing Crusade

BY: News Peddlers 

Callistus Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese

Callistus Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, prohibited priests from conducting crusades in their parishes on Saturday.

In his homily at the ordination of 26 priests and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude (Junior Seminary) in Enugu, Mr Onaga announced the ban.

The bishop charged the priests with organising retreats for their parishioners, paying more attention to prayers, and refraining from holding crusades.

Mr Onaga, who was celebrating his 55th alma mater, advised priests not to form prayer groups and instead to take their members to approved prayer locations such as Ugwu D Nso, monastery, and others.

"Do not take a Pentecostal approach to service, and be cautious when forming prayer groups," he warned.

He admonished the newly ordained priests to seek spiritual holiness rather than getting entangled in secular matters.

Previously, the seminary's rector, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Onodugo, stated that the seminary was founded in 1972 by Bishop of Enugu, His Lordship Godfrey Okoye of blessed memory.

He stated that since 1972, seminary graduates, both priests and lay people, have become well-known figures.

"Today, the seminary can boast of at least one bishop who was among the second set to study in this seminary, and that is Bishop Onaga.

"We are also marking the grand finale of our golden jubilee, which began on June 27.

"Today, our dear bishop raised 26 deacons to the Order of the Priesthood, and we are delighted that such an event is taking place in our time," Mr Onodugo said.

In 1973, Bishop Onaga was among the second group of students admitted to the seminary.

(NAN)