By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, in a Sunday mass today live streamed on Facebook said that the present time calls for church-initiated measures that would help ameliorate the plight of struggling parishioners.

He called on all parishes within the diocese to provide for poor, indigent people around them.

The Catholic prelate said the diocese will soon unveil its stimulus packages for the poor in the society, saying that all charity organs of the church would be handy at this time, especially Awka Diocesan Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC).

Delivering a homily to mark this year’s Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Family Spiritual Church, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ezeokafor said: “The Mother Church will continue to lead from the front and will not allow people’s faith in God wane because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“COVID-19 has humbled everyone, including those who hitherto see no need to beckon on God for solution and help. It has also shown that God remained the beginning and the end. . What I take away from what is happening now is that God is still God and He is up there on His throne.

“I enjoin all to pray ceaselessly at this trying time, we will triumph at the end.

“Coronavirus has proved that we are mere mortals and that there is nothing extraordinary about humans. COVID-19 has humbled everyone.

“I urge you all to give to those in need. We should learn to give at all times. A lot of people are living from hand to mouth. Many cannot feed very well let alone now that they are asked to sit-at-home. I feel for those people. We must find a way to assist them.”

The Bishop announced that masses will be held on Monday and Thursday from 10am-11am while Easter Vigil Mass will hold on Saturday, April 11, by 8pm.

He commended Chief Willie Obiano-led government for being proactive in the course of fighting the spread of Covid-19 in the state and also for the stimulus package mapped out for the elderly and others.

The Mass, which was also streamed live in other online channels, had few individuals in attendance.

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