He assured that the bishops were not relenting in efforts to recover the girls, some of whom have spent five years in captivity.
According to him, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) had formally involved Pope Francis oinn the matter.
He confirmed that the papacy reached out to President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue.
“So, we are not relenting.”
Okeke, in his Easter message, chided Christians over the seeming rising in idol worship and neo-paganism, especially in contemporary Christendom.
The cleric, who spoke in his office at Our Lady of Assumpta Catholic Cathedral, Okwuani, Nnewi. yesterday urged all committed Christians to return to God Almighty and jettison idolatry in every ramification.
In his three-page Easter message entitled ‘New Way of Life with Jesus Christ Risen from the Dead’, the cleric pointed out that “all baptised persons in the Church of Christ should reflect on the new way of life expected of baptised persons.
“Easter, the celebration of the solemnity of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, reminds us of our baptism and our new way of life.”
Okeke bemoaned what could be described today as neo-paganism, especially among contemporary Igbo Christians.
Acknowledging that the people had customs, traditions and cultural practices before the coming of Christianity, he said most had been refined and all the devilish aspects removed.
On title-chasing by Christians, the bishop stressed that there was a standard law that any Catholic who wishes to take any title must sign an undertaking that no pagan ritual or idolatrous sacrifice would be involved, or such person would be excommunicated.
However, he opined that it would be best for Christians to stay away from traditional titles.
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