BISHOP AVENYA VISITS GBOKO PRISON “Forgive so as to set yourself free” Following the Gospel values of giving food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those imprisoned, the Shepherd of Gboko Diocese, Most Rev. William AVENYA alongside Priests, members of Divine Mercy within and outside the diocese, and a throng of laity of the diocese today 26th December 2014, visited Gboko prisons. This day and event has become an annual celebration for a couple of years now. The Bishop preached on the readings and feast of the day; the first Martyr, St Stephen. He masterfully used the bitter experience of Stephen at the point of his Martyrdom to draw out lessons to be learnt. Stephen, he said, did nothing wrong, he only told the Jews what they needed to know and which was true. While saying the truth, Stephen stepped on the feet of some prominent personalities; he wounded their ego, as is usually the case when one is bisecting the word of God which cuts like a two edge sword. Standing and insisting on the truth about Jesus Christ led to his gruesome murder; stoning to death. At this point of so much pains and knowing that he would surely die, before the last stone could sniff life out of him, he knelt down and did an incredible thing; he prayed for his murderers, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). When you forgive, you equally set yourself free. In the words of Bishop AVENYA, “the internal chemistry of a human being is poisoned by anger. This subsequently dictates ones temperament”. Bishop William tells the inmates, “Some of you may have actually been guilty of what led to your being here. But in all of these, God challenges you to forgive. Acknowledge that you were wrong in your ways like the thief on the cross and you will receive your pardon. Some of you may have gotten here just because you had no one to listen to you, or no lawyer to attend to your case, you are more like Stephen”. He further encouraged the inmates to be charitable to one another by carrying out the functions assigned to them. The Bishop spurred the inmates that they were not and are not the worst people in the society. If they had the opportunity of attending better schools, receiving good training, like other people in the society they could have equally occupied responsible positions. According to the bishop, the irony is, “a good number of those who should be imprisoned are out there while those who should be out there enjoying freedom are in prisoned”. The Bishop therefore exhorted the inmates to live lives that will convince all that they got imprisoned by mistake. The Shepherd of Gboko called on all family members and the society to receive them warmly after the days of their rehabilitation are over. This is because, failure to which such rejection could make one more hardened and aggressive than imagined. He appreciated both the Federal Government and State Government for the attention given to the staff and general welfare of the prisons all over the country, but particularly in the Gboko prison. This has helped the Church in no small measure in carrying out her missionary work of bringing the good news to the prison inmates. In a sisterly manner he thanked the new Controller General of Prisons who just assumed office and is doing credibly well. RECEPTION The inmates presented a masquerade dance during the reception for entertain the people. SPEECHES • Benjamin ANONGO (CGP) The Controller General of Gboko Prisons, Benjamin ANONGO, thanked the Bishop and the Church at large that has taken the responsibility of visiting them regularly to assist them with relief materials. Finally the CGP assured all not to be anxious about the distribution of the relief materials as they do not divert them but ensure they get to the targeted beneficiaries, the inmates. He stressed that the wellbeing and health of the inmates is of utmost importance to them, “when they are well cared for, when they are healthy, we enjoy our work more, as they cooperate and we live more as a family” the CGP concluded. • Augustine AUDU (Inmates’ Chairman) The chairman of the inmates thanked all present and appreciated the good work of the Bishop and the wonderful, hardworking and caring chaplain he gave them, Rev. Fr. Isaiah TER • The Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel UDU The Vicar General thanked the Bishop for introducing prison visitation which they started partaking in as a diocese for the past six years; right from when the Bishop was the auxiliary of Makurdi. Fr. UDU also thanked the Chaplain who has shown that even though he is out there participates in the activities of the inmates as it was evident in his drumming with them during their presentation of Masquerade dance. Finally he exhorted the inmates to encourage the Church in her good work by going out there to be good citizens, who have converted, when they are freed. THREE INMATES SET FREE Before the final blessing, three of the inmates were set free through the instrumentality of the Bishop. The Chaplain Rev. Fr. Isaiah TER explained that the number could have been more as is usually the case, but the documentation for the others was still in progress and their freedom shall come in due course. The Bishop gave the final blessing and all departed in peace. Rev. Fr. Isaac DUGU Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Gboko
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:52:47 +0000