COMMUNIQUE OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FOURTH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF WESTERN IZON (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) HELD AT THE CATHEDERAL CHURCH OF ST. MATTHEW, PATANI, PATANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE FROM WEDNESDAY 12TH – SUNDAY 16TH AUGUST, 2020.
PREMBLE
The third session of the fourth Synod with the theme: “SOWING AND REAPING FOR ETERNITY” (John 4:35-38), was held at the cathedral church of St. Matthew, Patani and presided over by His Lordship, the Rt. Rev’d Edafe B. Emamezi (JP), Bishop, Diocese of Western Izon and the President of Synod.
The Synod session was uniquely called the “Grand Mother of all Synods” since it is the last one under the episcopacy of the current Diocesan.
The session was well attended by Diocesan Officials, the Council of Knights of Western Izon Diocese, Clergymen and their wives and invited guest from within and outside the Diocese. The laity was also ably represented.
The guest preacher was the Rt. Revd. Christian E. Ide, Bishop, Diocese of Warri. The Bible Study leader was the Venerable David Eguare, Diocese of Niger Delta North. The synod also had on its list of activities Prayer sessions led by the Prayer team.
READING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CHARGE
The opening of the third session of the fourth Synod was on Wednesday 12th August, 2020 with a Board Meeting. The high point of the Synod was the presentation of the Bishop’s Charge, which had in attendance, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel and Bishop, Diocese of Ughelli, the Most Revd. Cyril O. Odutemu (JP), PhD, the Most Revd. Friday J. Imaekhai (JP), immediate past Archbishop of Bendel Province, Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Bishop, Diocese of Esan represented by Ven. Andrew O. Aroyameh, the Rt. Rev.d Christian E. Ide, Bishop, Diocese of Warri, the Rt. Revd. Jolly E. Oyekpe (JP), Bishop, Diocese of Akoko-Edo, represented by Ven. E. T. Izirein, the Rt. Revd Dr. P.O Imasuen (JP), Bishop, Diocese of Benin, represented by Ven. Isaiah Owheruo, the Rt. Revd. Augustine E. Ohilebo (JP), Bishop, Diocese of Sabongida-Ora, represented by Ven. Ifeanyi Ibezim, the Rt. Revd. Felix Olorunfemi, Bishop, Diocese of Etsako, the Rt. Revd. Justice N Mogekwu (JP). Bishop, Diocese of Asaba, represented by Ven Japhet Anosike, the Rt Revd. J.U Aruakpor (JP, Bishop, Diocese of Oleh, the Rt. Revd. David F.A Obiosa (JP), Bishop, Diocese of Ndokwa, represented by Revd. Gift C. Nta. The Rt. Revd. Godfrey I. Ekpenisi, Bishop, Diocese of Ika, the Rt. Revd. Dr. Blessing A. Erifeta (JP), Bishop, Diocese of Sapele, the Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta West and the Rt. Revd Funkuro Victor G. Amgbare, Bishop, of the Diocese of Northern Izon
Also in attendance at the occasion were the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Wariowei D. Braie, represented by Sir Bibowei Braie, the Diocesan legal team ably led by the Diocesan Chancellor, Hon. Justice F.E Ikede, Bishop Dr. Zacheaus Ogunuku, CAN Chairman, Sagbama L.G.A and his
EXCO, Engr & Mrs Ben Ofeke, Sir Ekekwe, represented by Revd. Benson Nwokedi, Hon. Betola Perekeme, PhD, Executive Chairman, Ekeremor LGA represented by Mr. Ziakede Zarpass and other dignitaries.
The President of the Synod delivered his charge to the house. In his charge, the theme of the Synod was exhaustively handled with in-depth exposition; and scholarly in its ecclesiastical details.
The theme of the synod “Sowing and Reaping for Eternity” is very apt in the light of the present tendency for men hungry for a rich harvest without considering the basic biblical principles of sowing with the right attitude and commitment to tending or pruning what is sown and patiently waiting for the harvest. We, who are called into His vineyard, must therefore continue to sow with diligence knowing that our harvest is for eternity.
Therefore, arising from the Bishop’s charge, addresses, sermons and lectures presented and also based on the Bible studies and consideration of reports which were exhaustively deliberated upon, synod issued the following communiqué.
A. On The Theme
• Synod states that we reap what we sow, we reap more than we sow and we reap later than we sow.
• Synod identifies relevant principles of sowing and reaping which involves giving ourselves to God so as to be endued with the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22-23) which helps us gain an eternal perspective.
• In advocating for a thorough implementation of the principles of sowing and reaping for eternity, Synod sees the home cell as veritable tool and as a ministry strategy for effective evangelism and missions.
• Synod identifies the kind of people which the church should deploy for sowing and reaping as those who are called out of the darkness of this world and those who have confessed Christ and are living for Him.
• In a bid to improve on sowing and reaping, synod advocates that the pulpit should be taken from the church to our communities and every street corner, thereby making our parishioners involved in sowing and reaping for eternity.
B. On Emergence of New Church Leaders:
Synod commends the peaceful emergence of the new Primate of the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, the Most Revd. Henry C. Ndukuba and wishes him a successful primacy.
Also, synod welcomes the new Archbishop of Bendel Province, His Grace the Most Revd. Cyril O. Odutemu (JP), PhD, who is also the Bishop of the Diocese of Ughelli. We wish them a fruitful tenure.
C. On The State Of The Nation:
• Synod appreciates the efforts of the present administration to curb corruption; but calls for implementation of findings and punishment of culprits to serve as deterrent to others.
• Synod decries the ugly trend and spread of COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the urgent need to curb its spread in which case the leadership of the country was forced along with
their counterparts across the globe to shut and lockdown, having an untold effect on the citizenry. While synod notes efforts at curbing its spread and the negative toll on the masses, it makes bold to state that it is man-made, and views it as product of selfish and wicked minds determined to benefit from the hash effect on the globe. However, it expressed hope that our God will sustain us and expose all the evil gladiators.
• Synod expresses concern over the incessant violence and bloodletting with religious, ethnic and political underpinnings across the country. Synod calls on the Federal and State Governments through our armed forces to be alive to their responsibilities to stop these killings in the nation. In addition, Synod calls on the Federal Government to introduce ranches for cattle farming and irrigation to curtail the challenge of dissertation in Northern Nigeria and the Sub-Sahara Desert; thereby stopping the Southern migration of the herders.
• Furthermore, Synod expresses concern over the increasing spate of external borrowings by the Federal and State Governments which tend to undermine our national sovereignty and calls for caution.
• Synod commends the efforts of the Federal and State Governments in reducing the level of unemployment in the country with programmes such as N-power and SMART Agenda etc. Synod encourages them to ensure prudent execution and monitoring of these programmes to achieve set goals.
• In consideration of the rising deplorable condition of the economy of our country, synod strongly calls on the Federal Government to revisit the issue of restructuring of the country to reflect true federalism.
• Synod urges the Federal Government to urgently fix our energy sector which remains the greatest challenge to economic and social engineering in Nigeria; so as to address the issue of under development of our nation.
• Synod expresses concern over the recent death sentence passed on the musician, Yahaya Sharif for alleged blasphemy and calls for a review of the case; noting also, that justice is for all irrespective of one’s religious affiliation.
CONCLUSION
Synod concludes thus: Sowing and reaping for eternity is all about sowing with eternity in our hearts: Sowing with eternity as our goal and sowing with eternity as our focus. Sowing and reaping for eternity therefore, is an urgent and profitable task that needs our commitment and dedication to gather the fruit of the harvest for optimal benefit.
Signed
RT REV’D EDAFE B. EMAMEZI
BISHOP, DIOCESE OF WESTERN IZON