“Emulate the Hausa Muslims,” Bishop says, as he bars priests from officiating at costly burials.

Most Revd. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, has directed the priests of the diocese to desist from officiating at costly burials. To this end, cooking of food and sharing of souvenirs during 

funerals would be moderated.

Ezeokafor says whoever violates the new order would be sanctioned. He expressed displeasure at what he described as unnecessary expenditure during funerals, and asked the Igbo to shun flamboyant burials, while urging them to take a cue from Hausa Muslims who, he said, spend little or nothing during burials.

He said, “The order will soon be extended to the laity in Awka Diocese. We are starting with ourselves (the clergy). We are doing it to help ourselves and relatives. Even if the dead is Mama Father or Papa Father, there will be no cooking of food and sharing of souvenirs.”…