…Pays tribute to late Fr. Echewodo
Catholics; priests, religious and lay faithful have been urged to be accommodative of one another, as they are reminded that God made people differently, so, no one should have the expectation that others would be like them. This was posited by Very Rev. Fr. JoeBen Onyia while delivering the homily at the Requiem Mass for late Rev. Fr. Christian Chibuikem Echewodo, former Parish Priest, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Alagbado, Lagos, held recently at Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. Fr. Onyia said the death of Fr. Echewodo has brought so much tears and pain to so many eyes and hearts, because the people have lost a bridge builder.
He said Fr. Ichie, as the deceased priest was fondly called, was a very pleasant man who lived his life as if he knew that he never had the luxury of time here on earth, adding that he was not one who had time for quarrels or to make enemies or to keep malice. Fr. Onyia said testimonies from many, including Most Rev. (Dr.) Simon Nwobi, Auxiliary Bishop of Ahiara, shows that Fr. Echewodo lived out his life following the words of St Paul in Rom 12:2 which says “do not conform yourself to the world.”
According to him, Fr. Echewodo was not only a generous man, but does not delay in responding where there is need. He added that this is the reason many are crying at his demise. Quoting Bishop Nwobi, the homilist said Fr. Ichie used money to do the necessary things that money can do, especially to save and support people. He added that the priest made sure that money was at his service and not the other way round.
He said Fr. Echewodo was being mourned because he was an uncommon person, adding that priests who worked with him described him as one who left landmark in structures; physical, spiritual and socially, as others said he was a motivator who did not believe in failure but upholds that everything is possible and achievable. He urged priests, religious and lay faithful to ensure they leave behind good legacies, as well as make life better for those who succeed them in their apostolate.
Fr. Onyia encouraged his fellow priests to ponder on Archbishop Martins’ recent message on fraternal unity, asking them to be humble and gentle, bearing with one another in love, and make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Fr. Echewodo, 54 was the eighth of nine children of Ezinna Vincent and Ezinne Beatrice Echewodo of Mbaukwu in Ahiara Diocese of Imo State where he was ordained a priest in 1997. The late priest has worked in St. Charles, Olodi, Apapa, St. Theresa, Ifako, St. Brigid, ljesha, St. John, Igando and St. Anthony, AIT, Alagbado, the last parish he served.
