…Inaugurates KSJI St. Leo Commandery
The Vicar General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) John Aniagwu has said to solve the economic hardship, and end poverty in the country, government officials must stop taking outrageous sums of money as monthly pay, while the majority of the people live in excruciating poverty. Msgr. Aniagwu posited this while delivering the homily, during the inauguration ceremony and thanksgiving of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), St. Leo Commandery 1010 and Our Lady Seat of Wisdom LAUX 887, held recently at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos.
He expressed worry that workers in the country are not able to get the proposed minimum wage as and when due, stating that the increasing rate of unemployment has resulted in drastic rise of poverty among Nigerians. The Msgr. urged Christians, Catholics in particular to help those suffering around them as Jesus enjoins, and not be like the merciless rich man, who closed his eyes and heart to the plight of Lazarus. He expressed happiness and fulfillment at the inauguration of the KSJI St. Leo Commandery, urging the Knights and Ladies to follow their mandates to the letter, live exemplary lives, promote the values of the gospel wherever they find themselves, and attract more people to the Order.
The Grand President, Lagos Grand Commandery, Brig. Gen. Joachim Chucks Amamgbo expressed joy, thanking God for blessing their efforts, adding that the inauguration of the commandery is a dream come true having promised that the parish will have a Commandery before the end of his tenure. He enjoined the Knights and Ladies to dedicate themselves to the service, support, and defense of the Church and Catholic faith. Amamgbo listed activities carried out by the KSJI, including visits to hospitals to offset the bills of indigent patients, as well as securing the release of intimates at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.
The Lagos Grand Respected President, Noble Sr. Justina Nwankwo expressed joy as she commended Lady Amaka Nwobi, and the Laux for producing St. Leo and Holly Spirit, Omole auxiliaries. Nwankwo urged the Knights and Ladies to conduct themselves well, as people look up to them, asking them to nurture and grow the Commandery and Auxiliary, as she noted that St. Leo is a fertile ground for more auxiliaries and the commanderies. In his address, Sir Franklin Ezeji, the Charter Worthy President assured of the Commandery’s dedication to the core values of loyalty to one another, fidelity to the faith and shared ideal, as well as dedication to the wellbeing of the Church and people around them.
For her part, Lady Stella Ibobo, Respected President, LAUX 887 assured the people of the Commandery’s willingness to build a community of men and women committed to living out their Catholic faith with purpose and conviction. Mr. Vincent Okobi, speaking on behalf the new initiates, expressed happiness, disclosing the process of initiation to beef up their catechesis, which he noted is very important. According to him, Catholics must be well grounded in catechesis, to know more about their faith, adding that the more one seeks God, the more He comes to them and gives them peace.
