Catholic bishop warns against extravagant expenses at Christmas

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has urged christians across the country to seize the Christmas period to reconcile with God, as well as show love and charity to their neighbours. The cleric also cautioned against extravagant expenses during the festive seasons to avoid inheriting debts at New Year. Ezeokafor, who […]

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has urged christians across the country to seize the Christmas period to reconcile with God, as well as show love and charity to their neighbours.

The cleric also cautioned against extravagant expenses during the festive seasons to avoid inheriting debts at New Year.

Ezeokafor, who made the call yesterday in Awka in his Christmas message, explained that Jesus Christ, whose birth was being commemorated, exemplified humility by accepting to be born in human form to save the world.

"This is time for reconciliation with God. This is time to amend our ways. People should see it as a time to show charity to one another because faith without work is dead.

"We should avoid extravagant expenses these seasons to avoid inheriting debts at New Year on house rents, school fees and others,” he added.

The prelate further called on Christians to draw closer to God during the period, rather than pursuing wealth by hooks or cooks in order to meet up with material targets.

On his expectations in new year, Ezeokafor advised the government to give hope to the populace by addressing the challenges facing the country, especially in the area of power supply, agriculture, education and others.

“I used to say that if I should become the President of Nigeria, my first project would be provision of power and food. With regular power supply, agriculture and other aspect of our economy would be viable. You know that air, food and water are the most vital needs of humans," the cleric noted.

He however enjoined people to eschew selfishness and imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, adding that people should always collaborate with the government to run the affairs of the state.