Rev. Canon Ifeanyi Emegwa, Vicar, Church Of The Pentecost, Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion), has called on Anglican faithful to sustain the Church Missionary Society (CMS) anniversary,as it turned 162 years.
Emegwa made the call in Awka on Monday .
He said that Anglican faithful marked 162 years of the Advent of Christianity in Igbo land on July 27 and described it as a worthy celebration.
“The coming of the early missionaries of the Church Missionary Society of England led by Samuel Ajayi Crowther in 1857, no doubt brought a lot of transformation to Igbo race,’’ he said
The vicar said that the CMS brought to an end killing of twins which was regarded as a taboo before the coming of the early missionaries.
Emegwa said that CMS missionaries came with positive packages like education from which all developments like schools, hospitals, road networks and other functional life facilities were made possible.
He said that Anglican faithful as a matter of appreciation and thanksgiving to God should sustain the gains by ensuring that the goal of the missionaries was not truncated but sustained.
The priest said the Igbo race would never in a hurry forget the gains of Christianity because it eliminated some vices.
Emegwa said that the early missionaries did not come with the gospel alone but with other goodies like railways development, education, health management and provision of basic amenities.
“Many years ago, our face was not aglow but with a thankful heart, we now can take part and sing the anniversary song – `Happy Day’, ’’ he said
The vicar urged the faithful to always appreciate the coming of the early missionaries by living right, respecting constituted authorities and co-habiting peacefully with other people.
‘’Christianity remains a blessing and a tool to make people fear God; become better citizens and Christians should emulate the faith of the early missionaries,’’ Emegwa said.
