By Akuma Ebere
Jubilation erupted at Holy Trinity Parish, Ukpor, on Saturday, October 4, 2026, as the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye, dedicated the newly completed church edifice.
The dedication climaxed a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Okoye and featured the blessing of a newly built Chapel of Adoration donated by a parishioner, Mr. Chika Obi.
The ceremony also featured cultural dance displays, a performance by the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) band and the presentation of gifts to the Bishop.
In his homily, Bishop Okoye charged Christians to deepen their love for God and the Church, stressing that anyone who truly loves God must also love His Church.
Reflecting on the biblical conversion of Saul to Paul, the Bishop noted that persecuting the Church amounted to persecuting God, while urging the faithful to reject false and misleading teachings.
He explained that with the dedication, the church building had been formally set apart for sacred worship and was no longer a place for ordinary or worldly activities.
Bishop Okoye commended the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Humphrey Nwajoko (Gbarie), and the parishioners for their sacrifices, commitment and contributions to evangelisation and the development of the parish.
In his vote of thanks, Fr. Nwajoko expressed appreciation to the Bishop for his pastoral visit and the dedication of the church.
He attributed the achievements recorded in the parish to God, Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and the people whom God had blessed him with to support his mission.
“I see no challenges because I have come to work for God with a vision that says, as you live, no one can defeat you,” he said.
The priest urged parishioners to embrace sacrifice, holiness and a life of prayer, assuring them that their labour in God’s vineyard would ultimately end in joy.
The Parish Council Chairman, Ideh Simon Nwagbo, lauded Bishop Okoye for his fatherly leadership and urged parishioners to redouble their commitment to the work of God.
Some parishioners, including Sir Fidelis Obi, Igwe PMan, Mr. Christian Onyido and Dr. Sir Cyplain Nwabunike, expressed joy over the development in the parish, describing Fr. Nwajoko as a transformer who had brought remarkable progress to the church community.
Tags: Bishop Okoye, Holy Trinity Parish Ukpor, Nnewi Diocese, Fr. Humphrey Nwajoko
