No More Noise! Episcopal Vicar of Ozubulu Endorses Gov. Soludo’s Security and Noise-Control Initiative

 

The Episcopal Vicar of Ozubulu Region in Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hygi Aghulor, has thrown his full support behind Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo’s initiative to curb insecurity and eliminate excessive noise pollution in religious activities.

Rev. Fr. Aghulor, who also serves as the Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, made his stance clear during a special Mass attended by the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba and St. John. Addressing the congregation, he emphasized the urgent need for discipline in worship, warning against the growing commercialization of the church.

He decried the trend where places of worship are gradually turning into business hubs, stressing that the church must remain a sacred house of prayer rather than a marketplace for advertisements and promotions. According to him, Gov. Soludo’s directive aligns with biblical principles, as it seeks to restore order in evangelism by discouraging noise pollution and chaotic religious gatherings, particularly in public spaces like markets.

‘Noisy Evangelism is Unacceptable’ – Aghulor Declares

In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Aghulor stated unequivocally that spreading the gospel should not involve disrupting public peace. He particularly condemned loud evangelism in marketplaces, arguing that it not only creates unnecessary disturbances but also contradicts the true essence of worship.

“If anyone desires to evangelize, they should organize a proper crusade in an appropriate venue,” he asserted. “The market is not the right place for loud preaching and noisy evangelism. It is a space for commerce and daily livelihood, and people should not be forced to listen to messages they did not ask for.”

The respected clergyman urged members of the Catholic faithful, particularly the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba and St. John, to uphold truthfulness and integrity in their spiritual and personal lives. He reminded them of their role as defenders of the faith, emphasizing the need to lead by example.

Taking his scriptural reference from Romans 5:5, Rev. Fr. Aghulor called upon the knights to serve as beacons of hope for the confused and disillusioned members of the church. He noted with satisfaction that many young people who had previously abandoned the Catholic Church were now returning, having realized the deception that led them away in the first place.

Knighthood Promotions and the Call to Greater Responsibility

As part of the special Mass, two distinguished members of the order, Sir and Lady Kingsley Emeka Egwuh and Sir Igwe Benjamin, were elevated to the second degree of knighthood. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries from across the region, was marked by the official installation and decoration of the newly promoted knights.

Rev. Fr. Aghulor encouraged all knights and ladies to continually aspire toward attaining the highest degree of knighthood, emphasizing that such an honor comes with great responsibility. He charged them to remain steadfast in their faith, embody the virtues of honesty and service, and actively contribute to the growth and stability of the church.

In a solemn closing note, the priest reminded the congregation of the inevitability of death and the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God while still alive. He urged everyone present to prioritize their spiritual journey and to live with the consciousness that life on earth is fleeting.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment among the Knights and Ladies to uphold the Catholic faith and support initiatives that promote order, security, and respect for sacred spaces.