Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Francis Anozie Marks 25th Ordination Anniversary In Grand Style 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the anniversary, which was held at the church premises, started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and was attended by dignitaries within and outside Lagos State, who came to celebrate with Father Anozie.

Apart from members of the church, who came out enmass to celebrate Anozie whom they described as their own, Catholic priests from various parishes both within and outside Lagos were also there including his relations, friends, well wishers, age grade and classmates from Immaculate Conception Seminary in Umuahia, Abia State led by their National President, Barrister Vincent Dike.

The Chairman of occasion, Barrister Vincent Dike, expressed gratitude to God for protecting and guiding Rev. Father Anozie all through the years he has spent as a servant of God because priesthood is not an easy road to thread. He noted that Anozie has demonstrated that he was prepared for the tasks with humility and great passion to do the work of God by providing the moral, social and spiritual needs of the people in the society.

“God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for His name by having served and continuing to serve His people” Dike stated.

One of his classmates, who was at the event, Chief Cyriacus Izuekwe, described Father Anozie as a very humble person from the time he was in the Junior Seminary and had remained humble despite the fact God has elevated him to a higher position as a Catholic priest.

Chief Izuekwe recalled that Father Francis Anozie has remained who he was even at the tender age when they were in the Seminary as a peace maker and he was not surprised that he had been a successful Priest over the years to celebrate his 25th years of Priesthood. He prayed that God should continue to guide and protect him as he continues to work in the vineyard of God.

The hierarchy of the Catholic Church also joined hands to celebrate Father Anozie from the Pope, as represented by MSP  Superior General of the Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria,  Very Rev  Father Calistus Isara, who presented Papal’s Goodwill message to Anozie.

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martin, in the goodwill message personally signed by him, stated as follows:

“On  behalf of the Clergy,  Religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Lagos, we heartily congratulate you on the Silver Jubilee of your priesthood ordination. We praise God with you for the grace and mercy which God bestowed on you those years,  which you have laboured tirelessly in His vineyard serving God and His people as a priest. Working with God is a privilege that no one deserves. We thank God who called you and gave you the grace of these years of faithful service…”

The Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria (Southern Nigeria Region) also congratulated Anozie and prayed that God who called him will continue to guide and protect him to do what He had called him for; to continue to serve Him and His people.

The climax of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving church members, who have assisted him in many ways in the service to the members. There was also entertainment from dance groups including his age grade members, who came to celebrate with him.