Story By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye/Edoja Nyerhovwo,
As Catholics world over celebrates the 2020 Ash Wednesday today February 26, 2020, Most Rev. John Afareha, Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, has called on Nigerians especially Christians to use the Lenten period as time for a total conversion of heart and turn away from evils.
Bishop Afareha receiving ash from Fr. Ben Ukutegbe
Bishop Afareha who presided at the 6:00am Mass on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, urged Catholics to surrender their lives to God in this period of lent and obtained mercies from the Lord.
In a homily delivered by Rev. Fr. Dr. Benedict Ukutegbe, Director of Social Communications for the diocese and also the Cathedral Administrator, urged Catholics to use the season as opportunity to reflect over their life and make sincere conversion.
Stating further, Fr. Ukutegbe appealed to Christians to shun their former way of life and embrace the graces that accompanied lent. While stressing the need for a sincere repentance, he noted that it is only a sincere repentance that can bring a thorough conversion of the heart.
According to him, the level of corruption in the various strata of the society increases on daily basis, but lamented that those involved in this crime against humanity are celebrated as heroes in the society.
He called on Nigerians to turn their hearts to God as a heart turned to God is devoid of hatred, evil and corruption. He said sin, is an enemy of our love for God but says he thanked God for the period of lent given to us to reflect and turned away from all evils.
He charged all to make the season as an opportunity to obtained grace from from God.
High point of the Mass was the administering of of ash on the foreheads of Catholic faithful by priests and the bishop.