BY EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.
Rising from their February Delegate conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Christians on the platform of the Owerri Archdiocese Council of Catholic Men Organization (OACCMO) have condemned in its entirety all manner of man’s inhumanity to man in whatever form.
They condemned fetish rituals, in the use of human parts for money-making purposes, organ harvesting, and killings, among other acts of wickedness.
In a 6-point resolution, the Christian body flared those engaged in the obnoxious practices, describing their acts as going back to the dark ages, a recidivism
Referring to the practices as ‘the return to neo-paganism,’ the communiqué signed by the organization’s President, Kelechi Darlington Eke JP; the Secretary, Sir Ernest Nnanabu, and the chaplain, Very Rev Fr Reginald Egbu, stated, “We noted with concerns the rising spate of neo-paganism which is the revival of the pre-Christian ancient spiritual and traditional practices.
“These practices, among others, include fetish rituals, the use of human parts for money-making purposes, and organ harvesting, which have become a threat to the sanctity of human life. It leaves a sour taste that while many families are still struggling to liberate themselves from the consequences of these pagan practices by their forefathers, our young ones are finding it convenient to return to these practices (cf Deuteronomy 18:9-12).”
The body noted that it was very unfortunate at the time the Archdiocese was celebrating its Diamond Jubilee (60 years), adding that this is regrettable in the face of the positive impact Christianity had made in the archdiocese.
Taking cognizance that shedding of blood is not a part of the Igbo tradition, the fathers expressed worry over the speed with which the youth go into these pagan practices, without minding the consequences, and lamented that the young men who are expected to be the hope of future generations seem to be blinded by the get-rich-quick syndrome, ignoring the consequences.
According to them, “Our young ones who are expected to be the hope of future generations seem to be blinded by the quest for quick wealth while ignoring the terms and conditions and the risks of associating with the devil.
“The attraction to get rich quick has lured our youths to such fetish and occultic charms as Okeite, Ibobo, Ezenwanyi, etc., under cover of “Yahoo,” whereas these charms do not offer any genuine and sustainable wealth but only lead adherents to lives of regret, cf. Proverbs 28:20.”
The association expressed regret at succeeding governments’ inability to fix the economy; OACCMO, however, said it is not a justifiable reason whatsoever to institutionalize killings for money.
“We wish to express our worries over the harsh economic realities in the country and the seeming ineptitude of governments to provide solutions, cf. Proverbs 3:27.
“On the flip side, we strongly insist that this economic situation should not be a justification for any form of crime or evil practices.
“Unfortunately, issues of economic downturn have been highlighted as reasons for this rise in the pursuit of supposedly quick money, but we vehemently reject this line of thought because there are so many other ways to productively navigate through the challenges without resorting to organ practices and spilling of blood….”
Stressing the importance of hard work and good moral values, the fathers maintained that there is no substitute for hard work and good moral values as a means of achieving a noble end.
They frowned at the attitude of celebrating wealth without work by society, including parents, and even the Church should be condemned. “We wonder what has happened to the age-long saying that ‘there is dignity in labor?”
“The catechism teaches us that the core duty of man on earth is to serve and worship God while on earth to be able to be with Him in the life to come.
“The focus of man should, therefore, not be on wealth but on doing the will of God.”
