The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Revd. Paulinus
Ezeokafor, has directed the priests of the diocese to desist from officiating
at costly burials. To this end, cooking of food and sharing of souvenirs during
funerals would be moderated. Ezeokafor urged the priests to adhere strictly to
the directive, insisting that whoever violated the new order would be
sanctioned.
The Bishop, who expressed displeasure at what he described
as unnecessary expenditure during funerals, asked the Igbo to shun ‘”flamboyant
burials.” He urged them to take a cue from Hausa Muslims who, he said, spent
little or nothing during burials.
He said, “The order will soon be extended to the laity in
Awka Diocese. We are starting with ourselves (the clergy). We are doing it to
help ourselves and relatives. Even if the dead is Mama Father or Papa Father,
there will be no cooking of food and sharing of souvenirs.”
Punch
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