FR. Umeogu: Unconditional love, basis of christianity

Reverend Father Bonachristus Umeogu, the spiritual director of Communion Sanctorum Ministries has explained that unconditional love remains the foundation of Christian living.

Fr. Umeogu, who spoke after the weekly Communion Santorum, which attracted a large number of people, explained that faith is a necessary complement to hard work.
The ministry rounded off its three month-long prayers and crusades to herald a hitch-free year. The cleric used the occasion to lift the burden off faithful by distributing free medicaments to many with varying degrees of ailment. The ministry also catered to the academic needs of less privileged youths through school fees, rice and cash, among other blessings to the pilgrims.

He said there would be nothing like Christianity, if there were no Jesus Christ, Who is the essence of Christianity. He urged Christians to live Christ-like lives, stressing that spirit of forgiveness was central to behaviour and leadership by example.

The spiritual director, who is also a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka praised God for intervening in so many families that were battling with different ailments and socio-economic challenges.

While enjoining rich members to remember the less privileged in the society, the Catholic prelate said there is joy and blessing in giving rather than receiving. He urged Christians to give willingly and cheerfully.

Many participants at the crusade were healed of different sicknesses. For instance, a woman with brain tumour received healing, while others were delivered of demonic attacks.

Triplets Elochukwu, Ekene and Chiagozie Ezeumeanya, who were part of the organisers of Fr. Umeogu’s international scholarship schemes and foundation (BUSSA-FOUND) said God has used Fr. Bona to deliver multitude of people from bondage, shackles of sickness and barrenness.

Mrs. Chioma Okoye, who was barren for 11 years, testified to how God used Fr. Bona to wipe away her tears. She urged Christians to be steadfast and believe the word of God on them from the Prophet.

Fr. Umeogu called on Christians in Nigeria to submit themselves in fervent prayers before God or cry to Him concerning the situation facing the nation. While addressing the congregation, he expressed sadness over very bad days that might still come unless Christians return to God.

The cleric said President Buhari needs a divine message from God for things to turn around in the country, even as he pronounced blessings for all who will labour in prayers and their hearts for the prayers the country needs.

He said: “We must respect our nation. The only way to come out of these difficult times is to submit ourselves in fervent prayers before God. I warn you that worst days are ahead of us and we need to return to God.”

Father Bona said God gave the ministry its name, and that the power to heal comes from God. “Once, they brought a cripple, and after praying for the woman, God told me to tell her to come down from the vehicle. You need faith to do this. I told the woman to come down, but she said I should ask the children to carry her down. But I told her no, that God said she should come down; that He didn’t say I should ask your children to carry you down.” God said “you woman, come down.”

Eventually and after much hesitation, God told me again to ask the woman: “Between God and your children, who is more disposed to give you a miracle?” She replied: “God, of course, only God can raise me up.” I now said to her God said: Come down! The cripple started shifting, as if she wanted to come down from the car. Eventually, her body became well again and she came down from the car.”

Father Bona, who has joined the league of alternative medicine practitioners, explained that he prepares all drugs with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, like the kind of natural drugs in vogue in United Kingdom, United States, China and India, among others.

He said his drugs are given free to the sick and challenged, and that others buy them at little or no cost. Although still teaching at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State and presently the Head of Department (HOD), of the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts of the university, Prof. Umeogu has made useful contributions to the development of education and drugs in Nigeria.

But his case was like asking, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’ (I Samuel 19: 24). This question is very pertinent given the fact that Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Bona Christus Umeogu, a renowned philosopher, Christian mystic, poet, musician, university teacher and administrator is also into drugs as another way of impacting on humanity.

This man of God got a revelation of the pure and qualitative power of the medical and pharmaceutics. He understood that nature is filled with the virtues and powers of God, the Creator.