St Michaels Catholic Church Okpanam gave befitting burial to a Sierra Leonian whose relatives couldn't be traced
The parish priest of St. Michael's catholic church Okpanam, Rev Fr Donatus Chukwuedo, has urged christians to practice love irrespective of tribal differences or religion.
Fr Chukwedu, gave the charge shortly after a requiem mass for a sierra leonian whose name was given as Lewis, who lived in Okpanam, Oshilimi north local government area for over thirty years and died without a trace of his origin or relatives.
The clergy said due to loss of memory which affected Dewis as a result of the Sierra Leone civil war, when he was alive, he could not recall his past or whereabout of any of his relatives.
Rev Fr Chukwuedo said a search for his ducuments at the Nigerian immigration service was unproductive. He said he decided to give the man a befitting burial after a sworn affidavit in court and having observed that the deceased died as a true christian who dedicated his life to God and service to the church.
He commended the parishioners of St Michael's Okpan for donating the Casket, and piece of land for the internment.
Earlier in his homily, rev fr. Israel Dibia, said the reason for the gathering was love for a refugee who has no relative but Christ.
The clergy further urged Christians to show love and mercy to strangers and also enjoined other preachers of the gospel to preach the advancement of love and peace as love was a practical demonstration of Christianity in order to be disciples of Christ according to John.
After the interment, Some church members who spoke included the landlord of the house where the refugee lived for the past five years, Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwai and bossom friend to the refugee Mr. John Luke Esegbana, disclosed that the refugee was a man around the age of 77 and was being called Tunde Lewis. They added that he was a great farmer and a peace Maker, adding that upon his death, he was a dedicated catholic.
The landlord sais his investigation about the deceased, revealed that he was an accountant with the ports authority in sierra Leone before the civil war, they disclosed that a love letter was found in his luggage allegedly written to him by his wife asking after his wellbeing and the letter was dated 1983.
The respondents said history was being made as the deceased was looking healthy on chrismas day but on boxing day, he gave up the ghost and so the church community decided to give him a befitting burial
The requiem mass attracted 7 Rev fathers from the catholic diocese of Issele Uku among other dignitaries.
Fr Chukwedu, gave the charge shortly after a requiem mass for a sierra leonian whose name was given as Lewis, who lived in Okpanam, Oshilimi north local government area for over thirty years and died without a trace of his origin or relatives.
The clergy said due to loss of memory which affected Dewis as a result of the Sierra Leone civil war, when he was alive, he could not recall his past or whereabout of any of his relatives.
Rev Fr Chukwuedo said a search for his ducuments at the Nigerian immigration service was unproductive. He said he decided to give the man a befitting burial after a sworn affidavit in court and having observed that the deceased died as a true christian who dedicated his life to God and service to the church.
He commended the parishioners of St Michael's Okpan for donating the Casket, and piece of land for the internment.
Earlier in his homily, rev fr. Israel Dibia, said the reason for the gathering was love for a refugee who has no relative but Christ.
The clergy further urged Christians to show love and mercy to strangers and also enjoined other preachers of the gospel to preach the advancement of love and peace as love was a practical demonstration of Christianity in order to be disciples of Christ according to John.
After the interment, Some church members who spoke included the landlord of the house where the refugee lived for the past five years, Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwai and bossom friend to the refugee Mr. John Luke Esegbana, disclosed that the refugee was a man around the age of 77 and was being called Tunde Lewis. They added that he was a great farmer and a peace Maker, adding that upon his death, he was a dedicated catholic.
The landlord sais his investigation about the deceased, revealed that he was an accountant with the ports authority in sierra Leone before the civil war, they disclosed that a love letter was found in his luggage allegedly written to him by his wife asking after his wellbeing and the letter was dated 1983.
The respondents said history was being made as the deceased was looking healthy on chrismas day but on boxing day, he gave up the ghost and so the church community decided to give him a befitting burial
The requiem mass attracted 7 Rev fathers from the catholic diocese of Issele Uku among other dignitaries.
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