St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Oro, celebrates centenary

St. Andrew’s Catholic church, Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State has carried out a three-day free medical outreach among more than 2,000 residents of the area as part of activities to mark 100 years of the church.

Speaking with journalists in Oro during the celebration, the parish priest of the church, Reverend Father Joseph Awoyale, said that the church had concluded plans to make the programme a permanent project with establishment of a medical clinic that would be sited inside the church to take care of residents of the area free of charge.

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The priest, who said that the free medical outreach was part of evangelism of the church, explained that the facility would be available to residents, of irrespective of their religious beliefs and affiliation.

He said that the outreach performed by some US volunteer medical practitioners, afforded people with free treatment and drugs on common ailments and simple surgeries.

Reverend Awoyale, who said that evangelism involves educational development of the area as well as act of treating people as fellow human beings, added that the act was handed down to present church leaders by the early missionaries as part of efforts to win more souls.

He said that schorlaship award was also instituted for students who take first position, adding that many Muslims among other students had benefitted from the programme as part of evangelism.

Also speaking, Baba Ijo of the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Sir John Adeoti, said that  part of achievements of the church in the past 100 years in Oro town include establishment of coeducational schools and girl’s only school as well as a general hospital, adding that people had been brought to light from darkness through Christianity.

Sir Adeoti said that the schools had produced professionals and educationists, adding that the church had produced over 30 indigenous Fathers and 15 sisters since after exit of foreign missionaries in the church.

He said that some challenges faced by the church during the early days was the need to choose only one wife, especially, among those polygamous men according to dictate of Catholic church, adding that land acquisition was difficult.

In his sermon at the closing ceremony of the anniversary celebration, the Catholic Bishop of Ilorin diocese, most Reverend Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, said that proliferation of churches has caused increase in social ills, admonishing parents to be watchful of their children.

“There are now many churches and power houses only established  to entice people for power and money. And people who want to get money or power at all cost throng the places. I call on parents and guardians to check their wards against get rich quick attitude and behaviour. Families should be observant of their children and happenings around them”, he said.

Also speaking, the Minister for information and culture, Alhaji lai Mohammed,  who is also an indigene of the town, said that 100 years of Catholicism anywhere is worth celebrating.

“In Oro where I come from, the beauty of this celebration is that it is being celebrated by Muslims and Christians. It shows religious tolerance that Oro is noted for. We thank God that we are alive to witness this event”, he said.