By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion) Anambra state, has called for an end to all vestiges of obnoxious Igbo culture and traditions still existing within the diocese.
The Diocesan, Rt Rev. Owen Nwokolo made the call on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, at his Royal Palace in the town.
The bishop frowned that after about 165 years of Christianity in the area some people were still neck-deep in various Igbo cultural practices which he termed as very unchristian.
He was worried that in some communities in the diocese people are still delighted in animal sacrifices, fetishism of all kinds and patronages to shrines.
He added that It had become urgently necessary to completely eradicate such unchristian practices.
Nwokolo therefore appealed to Igwe Achebe, as a custodian of Igbo culture, to assist in the eradication of the vexatious cultures and traditions in the area.
Responding, Igwe Achebe reasoned with the bishop but explained that some Ìgbo cultures sometimes seen as evil were not as such.
He said that some Ìgbo cultures regarded as obnoxious represented positive identities of most Igbo communities and Igbo in general, explaining that cola nuts and wine shared at various Igbo gatherings portrayed Igbo concept of love, peace and unity.
There were exchange of gifts between the bishop and the royal father, as the diocesan Chancellor, Barr Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN) gave vote of thanks.
In the sermon during the formal opening of the Synod at the All Saints’ Cathedral, the guest preacher, the Rt Rev, Dr James Odedeji of Lagos West Diocese, emphasized the importance of discipleship among proffessing christians.
He said that the purpose of discipleship was to appropriate the Great Commission to depopulate hell and enlarge Heaven.
The Bishop stated that evangelism is a must for every christian but regretted how the task of evangelism has been relegated to the background.
He expressed the worry that street envagelism has been taken over by challatans who he said now extort money from people in the name of envagelism.
He called on christians to obey the Great Commission because, according to him, “it is a command by God”.
