Day Catholics wore black in Owerri

The event which started with rosary procession, commenced from Villa Maraie, through Wetheral Road and ended at Maria Assumpta Cathedral. It paralyzed both government and business activities in the city. In Owerri, the majority of traders are members of the Catholic family.The prayer procession witnessed unprecedented turnout of members. They included the young and old, […]

The event which started with rosary procession, commenced from Villa Maraie, through Wetheral Road and ended at Maria Assumpta Cathedral. It paralyzed both government and business activities in the city. In Owerri, the majority of traders are members of the Catholic family.
The prayer procession witnessed unprecedented turnout of members. They included the young and old, children and disabled.  The members, led by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese, His Grace, Rev. Anthony Obinna, wore black over black, while other priests wore their purple vestment for the penitential Holy Mass.
The provincial prayer was held simultaneously in the five other diocese under the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese such as Okigwe, Orlu, Umuahia, Mbaise and Aba. The situation led to heavy traffic snarl in and around the city. Motorists plying across Wetheral, Mbaise, Douglas Roads and Assumpta avenue in Owerri had to park their vehicles and wait patiently throughout the duration of the procession before they continued their journey to their destinations.
The one-day praying and fasting came few days after the 2010 Odenigbo Lecture organized by the Catholic Archdiocese. The 2010 lecture tilted “Traditional Dance and Wrestling, Choral and Drama,” which held   from September 3rd to 4th,  was delivered by Dr. (Mrs) Florence Anugom of the Imo State University now Evan Enwerem University.
The Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev Anthony Obina, in his prayer during the event, asked God to intervene and safe the states and the country from insecurity, anxiety and other evils. He specifically prayed against incessant armed robbery, kidnap and the misuse of public funds by those at the helm of affairs in the two states and the nation.
The Archbishop prayed that God should spare the nation from chaos, anarchy and doom and bless Nigeria for peace, justice and love. He urged the police, the state security service and the military to wake up to redeem the image of the country and the public trust which has been shattered.
The Catholics, at the end of the prayer procession, issued a communiqué challenging the security authorities and law enforcement agencies, to rise up to the increasing wave of insecurity to life and property in the country. They condemned what they described as a sinister act that threatens, violates and debases humanity and eroded the traditional cultural values and institutions.
They promised to resume their provincial prayer for upright voting, accurate counting and impartial announcement of election results in the country. The provincial prayers started in 2005 and it was to lift the 2007 general elections before God.