Fides Media

14/12/2025

Bishop Ezeokafor Visits St. John's Catholic Church, Agulu, Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on 95 Deserving Candidates, Blesses Jubilarians, Septuagenarians
.Inaugurates Members of HolyChildhood Association

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor today, Sunday, 14th December 2025, visited St. John's Catholic Church, Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State 4 years after his visit in 2021.

The Bishop was accompanied by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Reverend Father Charles Ndubuisi, the Dean Agulu Deanery, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Anaekie, the Diocesan Bursar, Rev. Fr. Nicodemus Izuchukwu, among other priests and religious.

The Charismatic and influential Prelate while presiding over the Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 95 deserving candidates, blessed 46 septuagenarians as well as Jubilarians who have clocked 25 years in marriage and also inaugurated members of Holy Childhood Association (HCA).

In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor enjoined christian to seek the face of God and devote more time in the things of heaven, emphasizing that everlasting life remains better than eternal damnation, exhorting all shun acts capable of ruining their relationships with God.

The Local Ordinary who called the laity to continue to support and invest in Church's projects, especially in education, noting that the Mother Church has not been receiving grants or subvention from any government, acknowledging that the federal and state university remained the cheapest in the country because of huge investment, grants, and subvention from the federal and state governments.

In an interview, the Parish Priest of St. John's Catholic Church, Agulu, Rev. Fr. Cosmos Ekwutosi, the Chairman of the second phase of the event, by Hon. Azubuike Imoka (Okwuoto Agulu) and Dr. Emmanuel Dueze showered praises on Bishop Ezeokafor for the visit. The trio separately appreciated the Bishop for his fatherly support, love, and care.

Renewal of vows, administration of sacrament of confirmation on deserving candidates, blessing of Septuagenarians, and inauguration of HolyChildhood Association formed the highpoints of the event

14/12/2025

The 2025 Awka Diocesan Diaconate Ordination and Installation into ministries of Acolytes and Lectors took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Awka, 13th December, 2025. The newly ordained deacons were:
1. Rev. Ilozumba Kizito- Holy Trinity Parish, Obeledu
2. Rev. Offia Nicodemus- Queen of All Hearts Parish, Aguluzigbo
3. Rev. Okakpu Evaristus - St. Gabriel's Parish, Ifitedunu
4. Rev. Nwegbue JohnBosco - St. Joseph's Parish, Nibo

The newly Installed Acolytes were:
1. Ezeoba Emmanuel
2. Ezeife Barnabas
3. Obiefuna Peter
4. Mmuo Fidelis
5. Okonkwo Stanley

The newly Installed Lectors were:
1. Okafor Gerald
2. Uzoukwu Byron
3. Anajama Sebastian
4. Onyedibe Michael

We congratulate and pray for them.

13/12/2025

2025 AWKA DIOCESAN DIACONATE & INSTALLATION INTO MINISTRIES

13/12/2025

DIACONATE ORDINATION & INSTALLATION INTO MINISTRIES

11/12/2025

Photo highlights:

Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor celebrated Christmas with the laity of his diocese, from the different statutory bodies appreciating him and members of the bishop's household for their services to God, the Church and society, Thursday, 11th December, 2025.

11/12/2025

📢 Announcement 📢

The College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi-Nnukwu is pleased to announce openings for qualified and committed professionals to join its academic and administrative leadership team.

The following positions are currently available:

🔹 College Provost
🔹 Head of Department – Nursing
🔹 Head of Department – Midwifery
🔹 Head of Department – Public Health

This is a valuable opportunity for experienced individuals passionate about advancing nursing education and contributing to the training of competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.

Kindly check the attached flier for more details, including requirements and application procedures.

11/12/2025

🌟 ADMISSION! ADMISSION!! ADMISSION!!!
Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences, Awka is now receiving applications for the new academic year!

Are you passionate about a future in healthcare? Do you desire a nurturing environment where academic excellence meets moral formation? This is your opportunity to begin a distinguished nursing career with Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences.
Don’t miss this chance — secure your place now!

For more information, check out the flier below.

10/12/2025

📢 WE ARE HIRING!

This is to inform the public that Fides Media is currently accepting applications for qualified and passionate individuals to join our team.

If you have the skills and the drive to make an impact, this opportunity is for you!
Check out the details in the flier attached below.

📩 Apply now

07/12/2025

Photo Highlights:

31 Seminarians of the Catholic diocese of Awka and Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia - CADEK, undergoing their Spiritual Year Formation Programme at Holy Family Spiritual Year Seminary, Okpuno (Awka Diocese) were invested with clerical soutane by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor at the Good Shepherd Chapel of Archbishop A. K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral, and Conference Center, Okpuno, 6th December, 2025.

05/12/2025

Photo Highlights:

The vigil mass for the burial of Late Mr. Raphael Nweke Osita (Nwante) was celebrated at Eziabba Village, Abba today, 5th December, 2025. May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen!

05/12/2025

Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province Celebrates 140th Anniversary of Catholic Mission in Former Eastern Region

Today at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, the Bishops of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, together with the entire People of God, gathered to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the establishment of the Catholic Mission in Onitsha. This historic mission began with the arrival of Fr. Joseph Lutz, C.S.Sp., and his three companions of blessed memory in 1885.

The celebration reached its peak during the Pontifical High Mass presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, during which he ordained 44 candidates to the Order of the Diaconate. In his homily, the Nuncio described the anniversary as a countdown to the 150th anniversary, only ten years away, and congratulated the province on the 75th anniversary of its elevation to an Ecclesiastical Province.

He reflected on the courage of the early missionaries who braved sickness, hardship, and even death—so much so that Africa was once called “the white man’s grave.” Yet, the threat of an early death did not deter them; they were convinced of the urgent need to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Education and evangelization went hand in hand, which is why the missionaries began their work by establishing schools that formed people both in the things of life and in the ways of God.

Significantly, the Nuncio emphasized that although Bishop Joseph Shanahan is rightly celebrated as the “Apostle of Igboland,” his achievements were built upon the foundation laid by the earlier missionaries. “He built on what they built,” he said, expressing hope for Bishop Shanahan’s eventual beatification and canonization so he may continue to intercede for the people he loved.

Addressing the newly ordained deacons, he noted that one of the clearest signs of a vibrant faith is the presence of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. When such vocations diminish, it may signal a weakening faith. He thanked God for the gift of vocations and reminded the new deacons that their ordination marks not the end of their formation but the beginning of a new way of life configured to Christ. He also outlined the essential duties of deacons: proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the Word of God, and assisting in the administration of certain sacraments. “We may not face the same challenges as the early missionaries,” he said, “but we can draw strength from their example as we confront our own.”

The event drew an impressive crowd from across various sectors of society. The Bishops of the province were in full attendance, including His Eminence, Cardinal Francis Arinze, as well as bishops from outside the province such as Bishop Mark Nzukwein of Wukari Diocese and Bishop Michael Kalu Ukpong of Umuahia. The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, was represented by his deputy, Dr. Gilbert Ibezim. The traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, whose predecessor donated the land on which the mission began, was also present with his full cabinet. It was, indeed, a grand and historic celebration.

Among the 44 newly ordained deacons, the Catholic Diocese of Awka joyfully presented two sons: Rev. Evaristus Mmadudiri and Rev. Stanley Ezeajughi. We pray for them and wish them a fruitful and grace-filled diaconal ministry.

05/12/2025

https://youtube.com/live/L7Uoak7kizM

CELEBRATION OF THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE EARLY MISSIONARIES & THE ORDINATION OF 40 DEACONS @ BASILICA OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY ONITSHA