Catholic archbishop: No society can make progress without sacrifice

The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has called on members of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) to deepen their life of holiness by giving priority to the good of others through selfless service. Archbishop Okeke made the call […]

The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has called on members of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) to deepen their life of holiness by giving priority to the good of others through selfless service.

Archbishop Okeke made the call during a Holy Mass to mark the 17th APKMN National Conference, held over the weekend at the Madonna Renewal Centre, Nkpor, Onitsha, Anambra State.

This year’s conference had the theme: “Hope, Faith, and Charity in Contemporary Society.”

In his homily, Archbishop Okeke exhorted members to make sacrifices, adding that no society can make progress without sacrifice.

According to him, Christians must constantly cultivate a mindset that seeks the welfare of their neighbour and works to inspire hope in others.

“When we think of the good of others, they too will think good of us. Goodness begets goodness; selfishness attracts selfishness. Always try to make others happy,”he said.

Declaring the conference open with the topic “Faith, Hope, and Charity as Virtues,” the Archbishop described virtue as fundamental to human existence.

He explained that theological virtues faith, hope, and charity are supernatural gifts from God that perfect the human person and elevate society as a whole.

“When people are taught virtue, the entire world becomes a better place. Faith, hope, and charity perfect the human system and lead to authentic transformation,”he stated.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the opening ceremony, Archbishop Okeke emphasized that no society can progress without sacrifice.
He noted that personal convenience must never override the common good.

“A mother must sacrifice to nurture her child into adulthood. Without sacrifice, societies retrogress rather than progress. Even with intelligence, if one does not believe in God or is not willing to make sacrifices for others and for the common good, one cannot contribute meaningfully to societal growth,”he added.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, who served as a guest speaker at the event, insisted that belonging to secret societies is incompatible with Christian faith.

He stressed that Christianity is founded on truth, transparency, and the light of the Gospel values that do not coexist with secrecy or occult practices.

According to him, when faith and love flourish within families, they naturally radiate into society.
He explained that genuine love, deeply rooted in faith, illumines human relationships and strengthens social harmony.

Bishop Ezeokafor warned:“If you remove faith in God, mutual trust in society is weakened and our collective stability becomes threatened.”

Speaking on the dignity of Papal Knighthood, he reminded members that nobility carries responsibility.

“Papal Knighthood is not an empty title. It is a noble order based on merit. To whom much is given, much is expected. As Papal Knights and Medalists, remain focused on charitable works for the betterment of Nigerian society,”he added.

The National President of APKMN, RHC Steve Adehi, SAN, said the conference was organized to rekindle the faith and hope of Christians, especially during challenging times in the country.

He noted that since this is the Year of Hope, Christians must be encouraged not to lose confidence in God or in the future of Nigeria.

Adehi urged the government to address the disconnect between statistical claims of improvement and the daily realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.