From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja His Eminence, Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan Emeritus, has called on the religious leaders to preach peace amongst Nigerians to for the development of the country.
Onaiyekan stated this Friday during the foundation laying of the remodeling and building of the Dominic Cardinal Ekandem Villa in Abuja.
He said that the project was set aside to impact on Nigerians in difference ways, education social amenities empowerment and social economic development in the country.
Giving the history of the institute, he said, that the Dominic Cardinal Ekandem Villa was conceived as a private residence for the first Archbishop of Abuja which it was named after.
He said, “It was at the German floor level when His Eminence was called to eternal service. His successor, John Cardinal Onaiyekan redesigned it into a retreat and renewal centre for Priests. Religious and Lay Faithful within and without the Abuja Archdiocese which he named Gaudium Et SPES (joy and hope) Institute in 1997.
“Our aims is to promote an African level, a dialogue between the church and the modern world in line with the Second Vatican Council Document, Gaudium Et SPES, which stipulates that the Church should be visibly present, relevant and influential in the modern world.
“The Institute, which is resourced with two Priests specialty trained in prycho-spiritual therapy, apart from providing us a venue for worship and veneration, has helped to rehabilitate hundreds of people from different faiths and backgrounds who have suffered various forms of psychological and spiritual challenges, including but not limited to depression, trauma and addictions.
“We have helped to give them joy and hope for a new beginning. We also support the needy within our community and outside through charitable works and programmes. What we offer is to the society at large. Christians, Muslims, traditional religionists, aethiests etc as our concern is the society at large.
“We are currently inundated with requests for psycho-spiritual therapy and counseling sessions, and huge demand for our other programmes like interfaith dialogues, retreat, pastoral and other trainings, charity activities. Our current facilities are very basic with only 9 rooms have become grossly inadequate for the demands and needs of society which we serve; that it is why this remodeling and building of the Dominic Cardinal Ekanem Villa has become Imperative.”
According to him, the design for the new facility will provide for 50 rooms, three conference rooms against one in the old building, standard counseling rooms adding that a private chapel, ample parking space, 250 capacity chapel, 150 capacity conference room, restaurant, well equipped kitchen, library and prayer garden, etc.
“Ours is a small though devoted community with all the determination in the world we are unable to raise the N1.2 billion Naira needed to complete this project from among ourselves only. Ours is a journey of trust and faith in God that He will hear our prayers through men and women of goodwill like yourselves, and friends of His Grace and His Eminence to realize this ambitious but most necessary project. Your support in any form, cash, materials, equipment, goodwill etc will be highly appreciated. We have done the much that we can to get the project started, and we shall continue to exert ourselves to the limits of our endowments to ensure that the project progresses but our capacity is limited,” he said.
Meanwhile Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba who is the Chairman of the Development Committee at the GAUDIUM Et SPES Institute, while making his remarks said the proposed remodeling aims to accommodate 50 rooms, three conference spaces, counseling rooms, a private chapel, a well-equipped kitchen, and other essential amenities to cater to the community’s needs.
Ndoma-Egba, expressed hope and reliance on the goodwill of supporters, appealing for financial, material, and moral assistance to realize this crucial project. Despite challenges, the institute remains committed to its mission, with Masses continuing during the construction period.
He said the presence and support of Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama and other distinguished guests mark a pivotal moment in the institute’s journey towards a more expansive and impactful service to society.