Widespread hunger putting pressure on church – Cleric

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Widespread hunger putting pressure on church – Cleric

The parish priest of the St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Charles Onwordi, says widespread hardship in the country is putting pressure on the church.

Onwordi said with the current economic situation in the country, the church has been faced with the additional responsibility of seeing to the psychological needs of members.

There is heightened economic hardship in the country, with prices of commodities skyrocketing in the wake of petrol subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

The cleric, who spoke during a press briefing to unveil activities for the church’s 70th anniversary, said, “It is clear that the country is in hardship and the church is now a place of succour.

“We, as preachers, not just cater to the spiritual needs of the church members, but also contribute immensely to their livelihoods through our various schemes and outreaches.”

Onwordi disclosed that the church will be giving scholarships to 70 indigent university students as part of events marking its 70th anniversary.

In his opening address, Onwordi took newsmen through the journey of Dominicans from Chicago to Nigeria and to Yaba, Lagos in 1954.

He said, “For 800 years, the mission of the Order of Preachers has been to proclaim the gospel to every corner of the world. We do this for one simple reason: that every soul may come to know and love Jesus Christ.”