Anglican reorients returnees, urges steadfastness

As part of efforts to fully reintegrate members and leaders that left its fold, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) recently organised a reorientation course for about 40 Bishops and priests of the Orthodox Anglican Communion of Nigeria who have returned to the fold having opted out of it for a while.

Held from May 2 to 7, 2022 at the Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, the Primate of the Anglican Communion Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba disclosed that the course was organised to reunite the returnees with the Anglican Family.

In his addressing via zoom, Ndukuba urged the returnees to be submissive and resolute to God’s will in their lives and ministries.

He said: “This is a beginning of a new journey. When God starts doing something new in one’s life, nothing can hinder it. Although, the perfect will of God may come through pains and challenging moments, we need to stand firm to get it. It has not been easy, but you have taken a good step and done the right thing, and God will bless you. We receive you with all our hearts to the family of God where you rightly belong. Count on us to be standing with you.”

The Primate assured the returnees that they will be reabsorbed into the Anglican Communion Church of Nigeria and be posted to different dioceses without making them lose their former positions while they were with the Anglican family.

Speaking on the import of the course, the coordinator, Most Reverend Blessing Enyindah, said it was to enable the returnees serve properly in the Church.

“The Anglican Church is a Church of order. All who worship or serve in the Anglican Church must accept the Anglican order. It takes humility and faithfulness to follow order,” Enyindah said.

Rector, Ibru Centre, Venerable Princewill Ireoba, who preached during the Holy Communion Service, charged the participants to learn from Phillip and James the Less, adding that faithfulness and humility will take and priest far in ministries.

Meanwhile, in February this year at Evo Diocese in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Ndukuba informed the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria that he had adopted a reconciliatory/pastoral approach to resolve conflicts and grievances bedevilling the church.

He explained that the pastoral approach was used to bring back the former Archbishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church of Nigeria, Ven. Solomon Adewumi, back to the Anglican Communion Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), adding that the former Archbishop, who had been posted returned with more than 35 others.

The course, which featured Bible studies, talks, lectures, tutorials and counselling sessions, among others, was organised by a team made up of the Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah (leader); Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu; Rt. Rev. Jwan Zhumbes; Rt. Rev. William Aladekugbe; Ven. Nnamdi Okpuno (desk officer); Ven. Titus Akali and Ven. Princewill Ireoba (secretary).