The newly ordained and installed Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Warri, Right Reverend Anthony Ewherido has asked Nigerians to vote their conscience for the good of Nigeria in the 2023 general elections.
Bishop Ewherido said this in his inaugural speech after his episcopal ordination and installation which was held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Minor Seminary, Effurun, Delta State
The event which was greeted by wide jubilation and excitement was attended by cardinals, Catholic bishops from across the federation, clerics from other denominations, political bigwigs from different political parties, traditional rulers well-wishers and faithful from the Catholic community from far and near.
Bishop Ewherido said, “This is an important year for Nigerians. As we go to the polls once more in order to contribute our quota to the shaping of our nation, let us all pray for and ensure safe, peaceful, free and fair elections. Shun corruption, don’t sell your birth rights, carry out your civic responsibility and vote your conscience for the good of our nation”.
In his expression of immense gratitude to God for a successful ordination and installation, Bishop Ewherido gave assurance that he will continue to present himself to the church by working as a servant of God and the church.
“I would rather hold today as a day of thanksgiving to God and thank youths, to all the human agents through whom God bless today’s activities with success.
“With thanksgiving to God and trust in the abiding companionship of Christ our good shepherd, I, therefore, present myself before the church and you, the clergy, religious and people of God in the Catholic Diocese of Warri with a firm resolve to work with you as servant of God and as servant of God’s people guided by the will of God, the mind of Christ, the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the motherly intercession of the blessed virgin Mary under the special title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
“Under Christ and together as one presbyterium, let us match ahead into our greater future for the diocese in faith, hope, love, unity, responsible discipleship, generosity and God’s grace. And let us do it courageously and fearlessly,” said Bishop Ewherido.
He lauded the leadership style and achievement of his predecessor Most Rev John Okeoghene Afareha and therefore appealed for the support of all towards his leadership in the building and growing of the church.
Earlier, the immediate past Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Warri Most Rev Augustine Obiora Okubeze in his speech gave thanks to God for the whole process, starting from the announcement of Most Rev Monsignor Anthony Ewherido as Bishop-Elect last year December and his successful consecration as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Warri.
Most Rev Okubeze admonished the newly ordained Warri Diocese Bishop to always put God first as he pilot the affairs of the diocese as well as solicited the support of everyone in helping him to succeed in the tasks of building the church of Christ.
In his Homily, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, His Excellency Anthonio Filipazzi charged the newly ordained Bishop to always engaged the altar of prayers and witnessing as ways of strengthening and growing the church.
Immediately after the Homily, the principal ordaining Bishop then proceeded to perform the usual rites of laying on of hands and prayers of ordination, anointing of the head and the handing of the book of the gospel and insignia to the Bishop to the admiration and cheering of the congregation.
For his part, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese, representing Most Reverend Lucius Ugorji, representing the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN said the Episcopal ordination and installation of the Warri catholic diocese bishop as historical.
Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Olorogun Ovie Agas in his speech pledged the support of the Delta State government to the Catholic Diocese of Warri and called on the church to always pray for the well-being of the state and the nation at large.
The Episcopal ordination and installation mass climaxed with the presentation of a brand new Prado Jeep to Bishop Ewherido to aid his new assignment.
