Afareha Opens Warri Catholic Diocese Conference Centre to Kick-off All Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria

Francis Sadhere                                               

The Bishop of Warri Catholic Diocese, Bishop John Okeoghene Afera has officially opened the ultra modern Warri Catholic Diocese Conference Centre to kick-off the All Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) taking place in Warri.

While officially blessing the over 120 capacity Conference Centre yesterday, Bishop Afareha said that the edifice which was primarily build to host this year’s All Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, will accommodate all the Bishops expected to come for the conference.

He thanked God for the speedy completion of the gigantic conference centre, saying that the building was made possible only through the help of God.

Speaking to journalists immediately after the blessing of the conference centre, Hon. Judith Enamouta said she was elated at the rate at which the conference centre was completed, thanking Bishop Afareha for his resilience in completing the building.

She said she could not believe her eyes when she came to the site of the project last month and discovered that the building project was already nearing completion, adding that facilities used in the conference centre are world class facilities that can be compared to anywhere in the world.

She said; “Today I am very surprised and it shows that nothing is impossible with God. You only have to have the will and leave everything to God. When this project started, the Bishop said that every Sunday all parishes should say a prayer concerning this project and thank God today this project is ready for use. And it is not only ready, but the standard is very high and comparable to any five star hotels in Nigeria and the world. I am very happy, humbled and proud of the catholic church.”

Also speaking to journalists, the Director of Communication, Catholic Diocese of Warri, Father Benedict Ikutegbe said it was a dream comes true for all Catholic faithful because according to him nobody expected that the vision could come to pass as at the time it was conceived.

He added that the purpose for which the building was set up was to host the second plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and stressed that after the hosting of the Bishops, a committee will be set up to look at how the conference centre will be put to other uses.

“This was a dream conceived by our dear Most Reverend John Afareha which was then thought to be impossible as at the time it was conceived. But right now with all God’s people in Warri rallying together we have been able to come up with this edifice. We are happy that this edifice is going to host the entire Bishops of Nigeria. The Entire Catholic are coming home because Catholicism in Nigeria started from Warri. We are indeed very happy,” he said.

On Saturday, he added, all the Bishops will take a break to prepare for the opening ceremony of the CBCN that will take place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri on Sunday, September 14, 2014 at 9.00a.m.

According to him also, immediately after the mass, the Bishops, invited guests and the congregation would proceed to the Bishop’s Court at 5, Enerhen Road; “Where we have the Conference Centre erected primarily for this purpose.”

“In the evening, the Bishops shall move to the Mother of redeemer Catholic Church, Effurun for the Vespers and Benediction. With that the Conference continues. As the Conference climaxes, the Bishops will on Wednesday by 4:00p.m. make a pastoral visit in about 6 groups to 6 parishes within Warri metropolis. At the closing Mass that will be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri on Thursday, September 18, 2014, the communiqué will be read to the glaring eyes of all present,” the Bishop said.

It was gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole are expected to attend the closing Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri on Sunday, September 14, 2014 at 9.00a.m.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the oil rich city of Warri ahead of CBCN just as some parts of the oil rich city are now wearing new look in preparation for the Conference.