……As Okparaeke, Chibuzor urge churches to embrace AI, social media for evangelisation
Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev (Dr.) Callistus Onaga has declared open , the 4Th Enugu Diocesan Synod aimed at tackling the challenges faced by the church and deepening the faithfuls’ faith in God.
Speaking at the Holy mass/opening ceremony, held on Sunday at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, Nigeria, Bishop Onaga said the synod was scheduled to run for one week, from November 16 to Saturday, November 22, 2025.
He said he convoked the synod on May 19, 2024, with a Theme, “FAITH AND PRACTICE IN ENUGU DIOCESE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES” , appointing Very Rev Fr. Prof Christian Anieke,as chairman.
According to him, a synod is an ecclesiastical assembly convened by a diocesan bishop to provide him with counsel on matters of faith, morals, and the discipline and mission of the local church.
Going down history, Bishop Onaga recalled that the First Enugu Diocesan Synod, convoked by Most Rev Michael Eneja in 1983, was held from 26 to 29 April 1984 at the Parish Hall of Sacred Heart Parish, Uwani, Enugu The theme of the Synod was “Faith and Morals”.
Bishop Onaga during the homily
The Second Synod, convoked by Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji on “Mission Sunday”, 22 October 2001, at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, took place at Sacred Seminary Nsude. The theme was “Evangelisation and Renewal in the Church of Enugu Diocese in the Third Millennium: ‘You Shall be my Witnesses””(Acts 1:8).
Third Synod of Enugu Diocese, convoked by Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, was held at St. Bernard Seminary Hostel, Nchatancha Nike from 4 to 23 November 2013. The theme was “Renewing the Mission and Identity of the Church in Enugu Diocese at the Service of Integral Education, Reconciliation, and Human Development” He disclosed that Enugu Diocese has 545 priests, ,53 Religious Bodies i and 14 new priests will be ordained next Saturday.
Bishop Onaga enumerated some challenges faced by the church which included social media and Artificial intelligence problems, youth empowerment, problem of burial rites, osu and ohu ( caste system)among others. He expressed the hope that the synod will address the issues, and strengthen the church.
Earlier , the chairman of the Synod planing committee, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke (Relator General)in an opening remarks ,said “Ten years after the Third Synod, and after prayerful reflection and extensive consultations. our Bishop, Most Rev. C.V.C. Onaga, convoked the Fourth Synod to open new doors of hope for fulfilling the Church’s mission in Enugu Diocese and to reflect on all forms of changes in society, especially as they affect the Church and practice of our faith.
The Fourth Synod of Enugu Diocese, according to him, “gives us the opportunity to reflect on our practice of faith, inspiring awareness of the opportunities and challenges we face today in practising our faith.
Considering the enormous challenges in the practice of the Catholic faith in Enugu Diocese in recent times, His Lordship, Most Rev C.V.C. Onaga, on the Solemnity of Pentecost on 19 May 2024, convoked the Fourth Synod, which we are beginning today. The theme is “Faith and Practice in Enugu Diocese: Opportunities and Challenges”.
“The Fourth Synod was convoked against the backdrop of enormous challenges in practising the Catholic faith in the Enugu Diocese. Its goal, therefore, is to deepen our faith and address the numerous challenges as well as reveal the opportunities for practising the faith in the light of various topics and themes to be handled by many experts”, Fr Prof Anieke said..
Continuing , he noted that, “Just like moons and like suns, With the incredible determination to rise above challenges is an expression of faith by God’s people who continue their journey like St. Paul who was never daunted by all the hiccups he encountered while proclaiming the message of grace and love of Christ.
“Some of the challenges ,he said , include abuse of priestly powers, the burden of burial ceremonies in Igbo land, liturgical aberrations in the church, administration of sacraments to “Catholics” in polygamous marriages, the problem of osu and ohu in our communities, challenges of Neo-paganism, anti-clerical tendencies in the church, proliferation of prayer centres and the crises of faith and contemporary gender ideology of the LGBTQ+ Movement”..
According to him , the discussions during the Synod will give the people of God in Enugu Diocese the opportunity to draw closer to one another and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit (Rev 3:22), who reveals Himself in our prayerful reflection.
He said synods provide an enormous opportunity for prayer, discussion, sharing of views, engagement in dialogue, promotion of peace and reconciliation, and reflection on our faith and daily actions.
“They also serve as a platform to build collaborative structures that enable us to work and journey together with the entire people of God, who are the true foundation of an authentic ecclesial communion and mission.”
He urged all clergy and participants to use their listening skills to make others feel welcomed and at ease in an atmosphere of Christian dialogue.
A cross section of Bishops, Monsignors and priests.
” The Fourth Synod therefore is an opportunity for deep reflection on the practice of our faith”, he said..
In his message of hope, the Synod planning committee chairman said , ” as we commence this Fourth Synod, we expect to unearthing fresh ways to strengthen and embody our faith while protecting it from stupendous challenges.
“It is also our prayer that all discussions during this synod will help participants clearly understand what will be presented and debated. Led by the Holy Spirit and with the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, we strive to have meaningful resolutions that will contribute to the success of this synod.”Fr Anieke. prayed
The Synod in session.
Papers were presented on deepening faith through proper catechesis, holistic education; utilising social media and Artificial Intelligence technology, and the appropriate formation of candidates for the Priesthood.
In his presentation on ” Fostering and Deepening faith through proper and holistic education; the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulubia Diocese,Anambra state , Nigeria
Bigard Memorial serminary choir
Cardinal Peter Okparaeke stressed that the Church should intensify its efforts in providing pastoral support for catechism instructors and individuals experiencing a drift from their faith, through catechesis that emphasises understanding over rote memorisation. He also stressed the need for consistent moral instruction in all schools, “as a way of deepening our faith”.
According to him, children are the most important guests in the church. He called for proper upbringing of children noting that ” a solid foundation laid in childhood endures”. He advised parents and guardians to listen to the children, hear them out, and train them well inorder to inculcate good values in them , build their faith in Gof and build a better society.
Pix:His Eminence,Cardinal Peter Okparaeke
He also spoke on catheisism and priests, noting that if a priest is not a good man
, he will find it difficult to be a good priest.
The Cardinal stressed the need to support teachers and formators in the seminaries while promoting an environment conducive to the training of candidates for the Catholic priesthood, who will subsequently serve to catechise and deepen the faith of the people of God.
The Religious
In his presentation on AI and social media,Director, Information Communications Technology,ICT) Godfrey Okoye University Enugu, Dr. Chinedu Chibuzor, advocated for Integration of social media and Al technology in the church,. He said in this era of digitalisation, payers, homilies , church teachings , should be posted on social media , while safeguarding the core values and the personal nature of evangelisation.
He added that the use of AI and social media should be properly guided as they have their negative impacts. Dr. Chibuzor noted that despite the jobs done with AI , AI cannot replace priests or any human being.
There was also a presentation on Polygamy. The Priests stated that polygamy is not approved by the church.
First Right- Former Deputy Governor of Enugu state,RT. Hon. (Mrs) Cecilia Ezeilo
They urged polygamists to seek the face of God.
Dignitaries at the event included His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Okparaeke of Ekwuluobia Diocese ,Anambra state,Bishops, traditional rulers, , Monsignors and Reverend Fathers, Sisters, former Deputy Governor of Enugu state,Rt. Hon Cecilia Ezeilo, members of consecrated life, Seminarians, Knights and Ladies, the laity, and delegated from other Christian faith, the Christian Association of Nigeria( CAN) among others.
