Catholic bishop bans priests from conducting crusades
The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga, has banned priests from conducting crusades in their parishes, warning that they should not adopt the Pentecostal approach of service, and be careful in forming prayer groups.
Penpushing reports that Onaga gave the order in his homily at the ordination of 26 priests and the celebration of 50 years anniversary of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude (Junior Seminary) in Enugu, Enugu state.
The Bishop who was celebrating his 55th alma mater, also charged the priests to organise retreats for their parishioners and pay greater attention to prayers and not hold crusades, warning the priests against forming prayer groups, but to take their members to approved prayer places like Ugwu Dì Nso, monastery and others.
The clergyman who did not give reason for the order, however, admonished the newly-ordained priests to seek spiritual holiness and avoid being dragged into secular affairs.
Penpushing also reports sources said, Onaga’s ban order,is believed may be connected to the conflict the church had lately with an outspoken priest, Ejike Mbaka, who ran a Pentecostal-styled ministry, the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, with fanatical following from Catholic faithful.
The rector of the seminary, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Onodugo earlier said the seminary was the brain-child of Bishop of Enugu, Godfrey Okoye, of blessed memory, in 1972, explaining that, since then priests and lay persons that went through the seminary had graduated into reputable personalities.
“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 celebrating the grand finale of our golden jubilee which started since June, 27. Today, our dear bishop raised 26 deacons to the Order of Priesthood and we are happy that such event is happening in our time’, Onodugo said.
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