Idolatry rising among christian youths amidst church proliferation – Ezeofor
Hi Dear, thanks for visiting! Like our FB Page or Follow Us Twitter for Regular News Updates!
The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt Rev Samuel Ezeofor, has decried the high rate of idolatry among the youths despite an increase in the number of churches in the society.
 |
| Idolatry rising among Christian youths amidst church proliferation |
The bishop stated this while declaring open the maiden Aguata Diocesan lecture series with the theme Culture, Tradition and the Gospel at the cathedral church of Saint John, Ekwulobia.
Ezeofor blamed parents and ministers of God for the high rate of idolatry among the youths, calling on priests to rise to the occasion.
“Aguata Diocese decided to take the lead in organising a lecture series on Culture, Tradition and Gospel because there is a need to enlighten the youths more on the difference between culture, tradition and the gospel,” he said.
Describing culture as people’s identity, the Bishop, who doubles as National Chairman, Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC), cautioned against misconceptions between culture, tradition and gospel in order not to bring a threat to society.
He called on Christians to always see themselves as living gospel by engaging in those acts capable of winning souls for Christ.
Delivering a lecture on ‘Building Ancestral Heritage and Christian Faith’, Prof Kanayo Nwadialor of the Department of Religion and Human Resources, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, regretted the gradual fading away of respect for elders from Igbo society.
Nwadialor argued that nothing is wrong in using Igbo and native names to baptise a child in the church, stressing that some native names are given to a child due to circumstances.
He clarified the notion that the use of kola nut in celebration, especially in the church, is idolatry, calling on Christians to seek ways of encouraging those cultures not antithetical to development and the gospel.
Also speaking, Ven Dr Emmanuel Uzuegbunam, also of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, regretted the callous and exploitative tendencies of the present-day church, cautioning the people against going back to the ancient foundation of their forefathers, which he said has no benefits.
“Many youths are going back to idolatry because the church has disappointed them through actions,” he said.
Uzuegbunam, who identified the problem of Ndigbo as identity crisis, called for the return to personal sacrificial orientation to save the present generation.
In a vote of thanks,
Chairman of Aguata Diocesan Lecture Committee, Ven Dr Steve Nnadi described the lecture series as an expository into culture, tradition and gospel, calling on participants to always differentiate between culture, tradition and gospel for enhanced development of the society.
The event, which featured an interactive session, had in attendance the President of Aguata Diocesan Women’s Ministry, Mrs Chinyere Ezeofor; President, Aguata Diocesan Council of Knights, Sir Obiora Okeke; former President General, Joint Council of Knights Church of Nigeria, Sir Isaiah Ezezika; and Director of Media and Communications, Diocese of Aguata, Abuchi Nwozor.
SHARE THIS NEWS
Post a Comment
Let know your opinion on this story