Ibezim Donates Gifts to Retired Catholic, Anglican Priests, Orphans, Others to Mark 60th Birthday

By Praise Chinecherem

Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace, Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim has donated food items to retired priests of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State. 

The Prelate also donated a bag of rice and N7,000 each to retired Anglican priests as well as food items and writing materials to orphans at Faith Community Children’s Home.

Delivering the food items to the retired priests during his visit to Catholic Priests’ Welfare Home at Aquinas Catholic Church Awka, Archbishop Ibezim said the gesture was in commemoration of his 60 years diamond jubilee birthday celebration.

“The gesture is in the spirit of ecumenism to celebrate my old colleagues who are no more in active service,” he said.

Ibezim, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim and other church officials encouraged the management of the Children’s Home to continue the good work of training the children to become useful members of the society.

Receiving the items, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd Paulinus Ezeokafor recalled that the idea to build the home was informed by desire to provide care for the retired priests to ensure they did not feel lonely and abandoned.

He praised Ibezim for thinking it wise to visit the retired priests, noting that the move alone was enough to reassure them that they were still important members of the church and society.

Responding on behalf of the catholic priests, Monsignor Simon Amateze  described Ibezim as a unique and accommodating personality, assuring that the gesture would serve as inspiration to them.

On her part, Manager Faith Community Children’s Home, Ifeoma Agu, thanked the Archbishop for the gifts and prayed God to enlarge his coast to give more to the church and society.