Christians have been urged not to compromise or mortgage their belief for monetary enticements but remain steadfast and stand for their faith, no matter the distraction.
Rev. Fr. Clement Umoenoh of the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom state, who dropped this charge shortly after he laid his mother, Madam Alice Stephen Umoenoh to rest, said christians should not derail in their belief in God no matter the challenges they come across.
In a chat with our Reporter, Rev Fr. Umoenoh stated that presently Nigeria is faced with religious crisis and christians need not to deviate from their faith, or compromise it as a result of molestation from either the government or politicians.
According to him, Nigeria is too vast to have just a religion, and the reason the nation is backward even with her enormous natural resources is because the citizens are not allowed to worship freely or given the freedom to practice what they believe.
The cleric further enjoined political leaders to imbibe the fear of God and avoid interfering in religious matters especially when it concerns the citizens’ choice of worship, stating that a careless look into religion by political leaders would only but result to what Nigeria is facing today.
‘Politicians should face politics and leave religion alone and religious leaders should do same, so we can have a balance in our systems without personal interest playing out’,he stated.
The cleric, however, called for positive thinking and advancement in technology, education, and production, just like other advanced countries like China who are blazing the trail in manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the cleric while reminiscing on the qualities of his late mother, Madam Alice Umoenoh, said he strongly believes the mother is resting in the bosom of the Lord, as she was a devoted Christian who held her faith till her last breath.
According to him, the late mother contributed greatly to his priestly journey and as a matter of fact, she was the rock and spiritual warrior that backed what he is today.
Giving a hint about his formative stage as a priest which started in 1979, Rev Fr, Umoenoh said the parents had to go through a lot of switches, that is, switching from one denomination to the other, just for him to actualize his call as a Reverend Father.
He said the father who was an ordained Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ and a District superintendent in Afaha-Obong district, had to switch to the Catholic Faith because of the regulations of the Seminary school, that demanded for his parents to be catholics, if he must move forward in the journey of a priest.
Fr. Umoenoh disclosed that it was a bit difficult for his father to switch to the catholic faith because he was a committed member of the Church of Christ, but he eventually accepted to join the catholic faith which gave way for his ordination as a catholic priest before his demise.
While wishing the mother an eternal rest, the cleric noted that he would miss the mother greatly as she left a big vacuum that cannot be filled by anybody; such as the pet name she fondly calls him,( Akpan Mma), her hugs anytime he visits home from America, her delicious Ekpang-nkukwo (local dish) to mention but a few.
While admonishing Christians to plan their eternity, because once they are baptised into the Christian faith, they are automatically born into Christ death, promised to stand in the shoes of his late parents as a first son, assuring his siblings of his constant support and love so that they grow in unity.
Speaking with the third son, Mr Ndifreke Umoenoh,he narrated his relationship with the mother and how he would miss her.According to him, he is the closest person to the mother and prayed the vacuum left would be filled by his wife, Mrs Uforo Umoenoh.
He said the mother was his first teacher, as she taught him how to cook,clean the house among other good virtues.
Mr Ndifreke Umoenoh and his friends during the burial ceremony
Mr Umoenoh advised Christians to live a life that will grant them eternal life,develop a relationship with God and devote time to the service of the Lord. These he recounted among other things, granted late Madam Umoenoh eternal life.
The funeral service which attracted the presence of the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, Most Revd. Camilus Umoh, had in attendance catholic Priests within and outside Nigeria, top government functionaries, Traditional rulers, friends, in-laws among others.
One of the Priests who happened to be the chairman of the planning committee for the burial, Rev. Fr. Patrick Akpabio, described late madam Umoenoh as a rare gem who worked tirelessly to see that her children are rightly placed in destiny.
According to Fr. Akpabio, the deceased was a committed Christian, who saw the earth as a journey and endured whatever came her way, even in the face of sickness, she was still strong in faith.
Late Madam Alice Stephen Umoenoh
He therefore advised Christians to make eternal life their focus and never loose sight of the fact that this earth is not their home.
Late madam Alice Umoenoh also known as Eka Fada was born 75 years ago into the royal family of late chief Wilson Udonkwo Udom Ubo Akpa Ime and Deaconess Seddy Wilson Udonkwo. She is survived by eight children amongst whom are Rev Fr. Clement Umoenoh (Priest USA), Sgt Ebong Francis Umoenoh, Mrs Christiana Emmanuel Isonguyo, Mrs Victoria Patrick Obi, Miss Anieye Umoenoh,Mr Ndifreke Umoenoh, Engr Aniefiok Umoenoh,Mr Edidiong Umoenoh and a host of other relatives.
