Enugu: Catholic Bishop bans priests from holding crusades

The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, His Lordship Callistus Onaga has banned priests from conducting crusades in their parishes.

The bishop announced the ban at the ordination of 26 priests and the celebration of 50 years anniversary of the Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude (Junior Seminary) in Enugu on Saturday.

He urged the priests to organizers retreats in their parish and pray instead of holding crusades.

Omaha, however, warned the priests against forming prayer groups, but to take their members to approved prayer places like Ugwu Dì Nso, monastery and others.

“Do not adopt the Pentecostal approach of service, and be careful in forming prayer groups,’’ he charged.

The clergyman who was celebrating his 55th alma mater admonished the newly-ordained priests to seek spiritual holiness and avoid being dragged into secular affairs.

Earlier, the Rector of the seminary, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Onodugo said the seminary was the brain-child of Bishop of Enugu, His Lordship Godfrey Okoye of blessed memory, in 1972.

He disclosed that since 1972, priests and other individuals that went through the seminary have become people with reputable personalities in the society.

“Today, the seminary can boast of at least one bishop who was among the second set to study in this seminary, and that is Bishop Onaga.

“We are also celebrating the grand finale of our golden jubilee which started since June, 27.

“Today, our dear bishop raised 26 deacons to the Order of Priesthood and we are happy that such event is happening in our time,’’ Onodugo said.