The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has urged the people of Okpuno Community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State to make land available to the Catholic Church for the construction of a modern hospital.
Bishop Ezeokafor made the appeal while carrying out his pastoral duties at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Okpuno, following reports that some indigenes of the community had expressed preference for a hospital or school instead of the filling station recently established in Nodu Village.
The Bishop said the Church was prepared to build a standard hospital in the community if the people could provide a suitable parcel of land.
“I heard that some of you clamoured for a school or hospital shortly after the commissioning of the CAPAD Filling Station. I am here today to ask you people to allot land to us where we can build a hospital.
“We have built a school and we will build a hospital if we are given a parcel of land. The filling station is serving the general public, and we need the land to build a hospital,” the Catholic prelate said.
He stressed that the Church remained committed to contributing to the development of the community, noting that several projects had already been undertaken.
“Ours is development, and we are ready to build a standard hospital if we can get land. We have done a whole lot. This is my parish. I live here with you people. I want to see a new look at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church,” Ezeokafor said.
The Bishop also called on parishioners to embark on the comprehensive renovation of the church building, which he said had become old and required urgent attention.
“The church building is going out of fashion. It is getting old. Look around and see that it needs a total overhauling and revamp. I urge you to rebuild the church,” he said.
During the pastoral visit, Bishop Ezeokafor also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to more than 200 candidates.
He charged the newly confirmed Catholics to live exemplary lives and remain useful to themselves, their families, the Church and society at large.
