The Holy Father, Pope Francis has honoured 15 prominent Deltans with the prestigious Papal Knights and Dames of St Gregory and St Sylvester. Some were also honoured with Papal Medals.
The awardees are Patrick Ikemefuna, Okechukwu Ofili, Epiphany Azinge, SAN, Benedict Chukwuma, John U T Okolo, and Joseph Emuezie. Others are: Henrienta Odume, Rosaline Bozimo, Henrienta Ajuebon, Caroline Sotunde Patience Elumeze, Carol Enuha, Justina Nwaobi, NES, Elizabeth Okwuadi and Suzanna Nwabude.
According to Rev Fr Charles Uganwa, director of communications, Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, Nigeria, they have distinguished themselves in faith, morals and have contributed immensely to the growth of the Church and society.
He said the Bishop of Issele-uku diocese, Most Rev Michael Elue will on behalf of the Holy Father perform their investiture ceremony within a Eucharistic celebration which will take place at St Paul Cathedral, Issele-Uku on Saturday, June 18 while the ceremony is expected to attract many from all walks of life.
According to the chairman of the Planning Committee, Fr Norbert Uchuno, all is now set for the ceremony adding that priests, religious, lay faithful and friends are invited to experience the rich traditional liturgy of the church at such ceremonies and to give honour to whom it is due while sharing in the joys of the honourees.
He said the honourees and many others, no doubt has been instrumental to the physical and spiritual development of the local Church thereby helping in no small measures in grassroots evangelization in the diocese.
“They have also selflessly helped in bringing positive development to Nigeria in all ramifications. The honour given to them is therefore a clarion call on them to further gird their loins in the defence of Christ in all ramifications at all times as his soldier.
“As soldiers of Christ and the Church, Knights are expected to be fired with a fervent zeal of the Holy Spirit for the social apostolate, holding in high esteem professional competence, family and civic sense, virtues related to social behaviour, such as honesty, sense of justice, sincerity, courtesy and moral courage without which there can be no religious or social apostolate,” he said.
The pontifical order was begun by Pope Gregory XVI (1745-1846) in 1831 and named in honour of Pope Gregory I, a saint who died in 604, whose writings greatly influenced Catholicism through the Middle Ages.
