Cardinal Arinze Is A Holy Man, Holy Priest – Bishop Isizoh

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

The auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dennis Chidi Isizoh has described His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze as a Holy Man and a Holy Priest.

Bishop Isizoh who lived with Cardinal Arinze in Vatican City Rome for 26 years made the disclosure during the auspicious 90th birthday celebration of Cardinal Arinze held at Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha, Anambra State.

He narrated his experiences before he nade up his mind and prepared to travelled to Rome and live with Cardinal Arinze. ” He said, “It was my mother who finally convinced me to go to Rome after I had secked the opinions of some people. My mother told me that she saw me holding Bishop’s hand and accepted that I would obey him when I was ordained priest.

So, when my mother remembered me my vow, I had no alternative than to prepare my mind. Already  Most Rev. Stephen Ezeanya had told me that I would going to live with a Holy Man” 

The eloquent Bishop further testified other attributes of Cardinal Arinze with nostalgia the way he came to pick him at the Airport and many countries he followed him to celebrate Mass, attesting that ” Cardinal Arinze says Rosary often and on. He visits  Chapel of Adoration regularly. His life is all round with prayer. He keeps accurate records. He reads book frequently and writes a lots” Bishop Isizoh testified.

Also in their good will message to Cardinal Arinze,  Henrietta and Bryanl Orjioako says, ” You are not just a respected prince of the Church, you are a global citizen and the pride of the black race.

You were a man of the people: As a refugee Archbishop, you made extraordinary sacrifice in caring for the suffering and dying People of Biafra especially Children and women.

In religious evangelism, you are simply the Grandmaster. It would be a great disservice to restrict your work in this regard to Catholicism or Christianity. This was examplified in your role as the President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue. You became the Gold Standard for global peace “

Again, Rev. Fr. Tony Ezeugo who lived with Cardinal Arinze for 7 years complied his testimony of Cardinal Arinze in a booklet which he said God uses Cardinal Arinze to perform work.

Delivering his sermon  during the Holy Eucharistic  which the celebrant presided, the former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan praised God for the life of Cardinal Arinze, describing him as a legend and power house of the universal Church.

He, however, noted that the former Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese is among the surviving ancestors of the Catholic Church and he distinguished himself in the services to God and humanity which according to the prelate contributed for Cardinal Arinze to be celebrated in so many ways.

Dignitaries in attendance who spoke in admiration to Cardinal Arinze includes; Presidential candidate of Labour Party and former Governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra state, Professor Charles Soludo and immediate past Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano.

Other personalities includes; the Obi of Onitsha Kingdom, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Senator Victor Umeh, Monsignors, Rev. Fathers, Religious, Traditional Rulers, Papal Knight of the Church, laities amongst other.