The Bishop
of Orlu Catholic Diocese, Augustine Ukwuoma, on Friday unveiled the African
tallest statue of Jesus Christ weighing 8.5 metres (28 ft) at St. Aloysius
Catholic Parish, Abajah, Imo.
The statue,
made of marble, is bigger than the 20 metres (66 foot) Ramesses ii Abusimbel
statue in Egypt.
Mr. Ukwuoma
performed the ceremony shortly after a mass attended by the Bishop Emeritus of
Orlu Diocese, Gregory Ochiagha, and more than 100 priests at St. Aloysius
Parish Abajah compound on Friday.
One Obinna
Onuoha, who donated the Jesus statue, had constructed 2, 000 seating capacity
parish church at St. Aloysius in the year 2012.
The
unveiling of the statue was used to mark the wedding golden jubilee ceremony of
the parents of Mr. Obinna, Geoffrey, and Lolo Justina Onuoha.
Mr. Ukwuoma,
who described the statue as magnificent, commended the Mr. Onuoha family for
the gift and their benevolence to the church.
“This statue
is a great symbol of Christian faith, and I pray that for the Catholics that
the statue will continue to constantly remind us of what Jesus Christ stands
for us.
“For other
passersby, looking at the statue will also bring them closer to Jesus,’’ the
Bishop said.
Speaking on
the golden jubilee, the cleric used the medium to remind marital couples on the
need to see marriage as a vocation through which they could positively impact
on the society.
“God did not
call any of us clergy and religious to be fathers and mothers, but those called
into this vocation must use it to reflect God’s peace, love and unity.
Mr. Onuoha,
the Managing Director of Premier Petroleum Ltd., and the donor of the statue,
said he constructed the statue to fulfill a vow he made to God in the year
1997.
“Asking why
I constructed this statue is like asking how do I came to this world, I am a
Christian and a Catholic and Jesus statue represents my faith.
“I believe
we are here on earth for different purposes and each person moves with his/her
instincts, and I was motivated to do this to build up the faith of this
community,’’ he said.
Mr. Onuoha,
who did not mention the cost of the statue, added, “It took about three years
to construct and erect the Jesus De Saviour statue at Abajah.’.Read more
