Okoli Congratulates Bishop, Diocesans, Says We Didn’t Plan New Cathedral Building
Chief Rommy Okoli, a former governorship aspirant in Anambra has described the completion and dedication of Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, the seat of Catholic Diocese of Nnewi on Wednesday as joyous.
Okoli, a former Chairman of Nnewi South Local Government Council said this while speaking in Nnewi on Thursday.
No fewer than 200 Reverend Fathers, 70 Bishops, two Papal Nuncios, two Cardinals led by Francis Cardinal Arinze celebrated the dedication event witnessed by people from different walks of life.
The stakeholder who was a member of the Cathedral Fund Raising and Building committee at a time said the journey to the completion of the new Cathedral was not an easy one.
“It is a thing of joy, and a very glorious occasion that we now have a brand new Cathedral in Nnewi Catholic Diocese.
“It was a very difficult journey because the old Cathedral was pulled down and a new one started,” he said.
Okoli recalled that the original idea was to remodel the old Cathedral which had too many pillars that obstructed the views of worshippers and also remove the dome on top of the building which did not represent Catholic symbols.
He said the committee had started work when the Emeritus Bishop, Most Revd Hillary Okeke informed them that late Sen. Ifeanyi had offered to build a new Cathedral for the diocese and that the old building would be pulled down.
“The Diocesan Council had agreed to remove the dome and reduce the number of pillars in the old Cathedral building, the idea was to remodel it and not to build a new one.
“The Emeritus bishop set up a committee known as fundraising and building committee headed by Dr Ajulu Uzodike as chairman and I was a member.
“The committee had raised some money and and about to begin work the Bishop Emeritus told us that late Sen. Ubah had offered to pull down the church and build a new one
“Some of us in the building committee were skeptical about the offer considering the effort of the past effort, funds and faith Diocesans put into the building of the old cathedral.
“However, the cathedral was pulled down and Ifeanyi Ubah stepped in, he brought the design and started work.
“The Cathedral building has no pillar, it is a masterpiece with a hanging roof,” he said.
Okoli said Ifeanyi Ubah commended the project and took it to the roofing stage where it became difficult because of the technical nature and expert input requirement.
He said the project looked jinxed at the time the new bishop, Jonas-Benson Okoye came in and made Ubah to see reason for others to join hands and complete the project.
He appreciated Ubah and other key benefactors of the diocese for their generosity and prayed God to continue to bless them.
According to him, the Bishop took it upon himself and mobilised resources to ensure that the project was completed.
“I want to congratulate and commend the Bishop for finishing this project in record time and also our numerous donors, Late Ifeanyi Ubah who started and others including Chief Cletus Ibeto for seeing to the completion of this magnificent place of worship,” he said.
