THE RETURN OF FRANCIS CARDINAL ARINZE TO ADAZI NNUKWU

Sunday 6th August 2015 was the great day when the very revered clergy and Vatican icon His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze visited St. Andrews Catholic Church Adazi Nnukwu. The church in Adazi is a mother parish in Awka diocese and one of the oldest parishes in the region established in the year 1912 by Rev Fr. Albert Bubendorf; the church has remains a center of faith from where the gospel has spread to many communities even beyond Awka diocese.

The visit is part of programs lined up for the Cardinal's vacation in Nigeria and mainly for the parishes where he had worked previously. However, St. Andrews Catholic Church Adazi Nnukwu was the home of the Cardinal in the year 1968 from where he ran the affairs of the archdiocese of Onitsha for about six months when Onitsha fell into the hands of soldiers during Nigeria/Biafra war.

In his sermon during the holy mass, Cardinal Arinze admonished the people to abide the spirit of humility, pointing out that Christ was humble and did not segregate in his works of miracle on earth. Earlier in the gospel taken from the book of Mark chapter 7 verse 31 to 37; the scripture was read of how Jesus healed a poor man who was deaf and dumb and ordered them to tell no one about it. The Cardinal also stressed that God loves the poor and the wealthy, the sick and the healthy, admonishing the mammoth crowd to endeavor to coexist in peace and love irrespective of circumstances. He further urged both the clergy and lay faithful to emulate/support of the Holy Father, Pope Francis I in reaching out to the poor affirming that the Pope is very concerned in bettering the lives of the poor and oppressed.

The pointed out that the church is challenged by the incessant attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents in the northern part of Nigeria and neighboring countries as well as the inhuman acts of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and other similar insurgencies spreading all over the world. He advocated for increased number of clergy so as to be able to carryout the works of evangelism effectively pointing out that Nigerian missionaries are doing well and are already spotted in various parts of the world. The congregation were abreast with humor and unusual information from the top clergyman. Some of such information were about the upcoming synod of bishop on family coming up on October and the planned visit of Pope Francis I to Cuba.

The holy mass was concelebrated by the auxiliary bishop of Awka diocese, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye and other notable priests and had in attendance Adazi indigenous priests; Rev sisters and brothers; representatives of some communities that were under Adazi Nnukwu; the Nights and their Ladies as well as various groups in Adazi including the Acting Adama of Adazi Nnukwu, Chief Pius Obiakonwa and the President General of the ATDU, Chief Ben Enemuo.

In the event that followed the mass, various groups honored the Cardinal with gifts and cultural display. Chaired by Sir Gab Anetoh (Ichie Ozodinobi), it had various sections which includes special speeches, refreshments, and questions and answers where the Cardinal fielded answers to questions which mainly focused on the relationship between church and humanity as well as clearing issues of doubts amongst Catholics.

Some of the questions were church's view of the sporadic spreading of churches and prayer houses, the Eminence lamented about the uncontrolled spreading of churches and prayer houses, but said the bishop has the right to approve for a priest to organize adorations and special prayers for the faithfuls.

On the issue of breaking of marriages, the Cardinal through bishop Jonas Benson Okoye said the church does not dissolve marriages but has the power to declare nullity on a marriage, after proper investigation.

Similarly, the Cardinal responding to a question on the resignation of the former pope, Pope Benedict XVI said he had no idea what the pope's reasons were adding that the former vicar only summoned the Cardinals on a particular day and declared his resignation. He however said it was most likely to be connected with his health situation.

Some members of the Awka community asked questions on the lingering dispute between the church and the Awka community regarding the dust - to - dust burial rite but the Cardinal declined making statement on that rather relegated the responsibilities to the bishop of Awka diocese.

On his part, the Parish priest of St Andrews Catholic Church Adazi, Rev Fr Mike Onwukike described Cardinal Arinze as a true example of simplicity and humility, pointing out some of the giant strides he recorded in the province and his impact on Adazi Nnukwu. Fr Onwukike further described him as a father and a true Shepherd, whose love for the poor and oppressed is beyond measures.

Brief about Francis Cardinal Arinze
Francis Cardinal Arinze was born on November 1932 to Joseph and Bernadette Arinze of Umuokpaeche family in Odida village of Eziowelle. He was Baptized by Blessed Iwene Tansi in the year 1941, from his hand he also had his first holy communion and he (Tansi) prepared him for confirmation; he (Francis) was also a mass server under Blessed Iwene Tansi. Ordained a priest in the year 1958, it only took him few years to become a bishop; after the death of the Irish Archbishop Heerey who died in 1967 and his co-adjutor Francis Anizoba Arinze stepped into the office during a huge political crisis in Nigeria, and within a few months, the Nigeria/Biafra war broke out. He had to run away from the provincial headquarter at Onitsha to Adazi Nnukwu.

After he was called to work for the universal church in the Vatican, He was created Cardinal in 1985. On October 1st 2002 Pope John Paul II transfered him from the pontifical council for Inter-religious Dialogue to the Congregation for Divine worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, one of the three most important offices of the Roman Curia. Another unique attributes of the Cardinal is that even with his numerous achievements, he has not changed from simple, hardworking, prayerful, humorous, methodical, precise and resilience which are very common knowledge about him. He founded the Religious congregation of the Brothers of St Stephen whose special charism is catechesis.

Francis Cardinal Arinze marked his 50th anniversary of his episcopacy on 29th August 2015 and about celebrating his 83rd birthday on 1st November 2015.