Six persons have been ordained as Deacons and two others collated as Archdeacons by the Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Right Reverend Prosper Amah.
Correspondent, Odinaka Nwolisa reports that the ordination service held at the Basilica of Saint James the Great Cathedral Atani in Ogbaru Council Area, was attended by the Council of Knights, members of legal profession, among other faithful in the Diocese.
Performing the ordination ceremony, Bishop Amah spelt out duties of Deacons in pastoral work, strengthening and deepening the faith of the faithful in the gospel.
Earlier in a sermon, the Bishop of Etche Diocese in Rivers State, Right Reverend Precious Nwala called on the ordained to emulate the early apostles by reflecting on the mandate of the master.
Pronouncing the theme of the sermon as “Ministers of Proven Faithfulness”, Bishop Nwala highlighted the importance of trust in winning souls for Christ, cautioned the ordained against disappointing the Church and society at large, and encouraged them with the assurance that God who commissioned them will give them grace to succeed.
In an interview, one of the newly ordained Deacons, Reverend Izuchukwu Ebeke and a collated Archdeacon, Venerable Chukwudalu Okafor promised to be true to their vows in serving God and humanity.
Family members, friends and well-wishers who came to share in their joy poured out prayers for God to equip them as the apostles of the old.
Some of the faithful, including the Chairman of Ogbaru Council Area, Barrister Arinze Awogu, Mr David Okafor, Venerable Dr Ferguson Ezeokafor and Sir Kingsley Uwakwe advised the ordained to follow the steps of He who called them.
Declaration of oath of Canonical obedience administered by the Legal Secretary of the Diocese, Barrister Ike Nwanegbo, laying of hands by the Bishop and formal presentation of the ordained to the congregation formed the highpoints of the event.