Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor
Following the lockdown directive by the Federal Government to Some States, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, has as a matter of urgency, directed all parish priests within his domain to provide foodstuffs to poor parishioners and other indigent persons around them.
The Bishop gave the directive during the homily to mark the 2020 Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Family Spiritual Year, Okpuno-Awka, on Sunday.
The Mass was stream live on Facebook and other online channels.
He said: “This would help cushion the effects of the sit-at-home order given by government to the people to check the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

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“It is about time the church initiated measures that would ameliorate the plights of their struggling parishioners during this period of the pandemic.
“The Catholic  Church will continue to lead from the spiritual front and would not allow people’s faith in God to wane because of coronavirus pandemic.”
The Cleric also said that the diocese would soon unveil its stimulus packages for the poor in the society.
He said that all  the charity organs of the Church would be handy at this material time, especially,  the Awka Diocesan Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC).
The cleric said that COVID-19 had humbled everyone and also shown that God remained the beginning and the end.
He enjoined all to pray ceaselessly at this trying time, adding that they would triumph at the end.
“Coronavirus has proved that we are mere mortals and that there is nothing extraodinary about humans. COVID-19 has humbled everyone including those who hitherto see no need to beckon on God for solution and help.
“What I take away from what is happening now is that God is still God and He is up there on His throne. 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, and we must find  a way to assist them,” Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Ezeokafor commended the Government of Anambra led by Gov.Willie Obiano for being proactive and also for the stimulus packages mapped out for the elderly and others in the state.
The cleric also said that  Masses of Maundy Thursday, April 9, and  Easter Vigil Saturday of April 11 would be broadcast live.
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