30 injured as Catholics, Awka community
clash
AWKA — THE lingering crisis between the
Catholic faithful and a section of Awka
community over the observance of Christian
burial rights in the area took another
dimension, Wednesday night, when the two
clashed openly in the heart of the Anambra
State capital, leaving about 30 persons
wounded.

Among those injured were Mrs. Juliana
Okeke, Mr. Ogah Moses, Mr. Christian
Anichebe, Mr. Obuekwe Obukwelu, Mr. Onwa
Patrick, who are receiving treatment at
Regina Caeli Hospital in Awka.
Speaking from their hospital beds, they said
it was only God that rescued them from the
hands of the youths while returning from a
burial.

The latest incident was triggered off during
the burial ceremony of an 85-year old man,
Mr. Samuel Nwana Nebolisa at Umudioka,
Awka.

The bone of contention between the church
and some people in Umudioka community
was the dust-to-dust ceremony usually
performed during the burial of Catholics,
which a section of the community had
objected to over the years and often led to
confrontation during burial ceremonies in
Awka.

Since the death of the late Pa Nebolisa in
April this year, there had been arguments
between the church and the community
following the insistence of the church that
the dust –to –dust ceremony must be
performed by the wife of the deceased
because he was a Catholic, but some of his
kinsmen objected to it on the ground that it
was against their tradition.

First son of the deceased, Mr. Ikechukwu
Nebolisa said his late father had willed that
his wife should perform the dust –to-dust
ceremony during his burial because
members of the family were ardent Catholics
and wondered why some people in the
community should prevent her from doing
so, especially when the constitution of the
country allowed for freedom or worship

Hmmmm! Fighting over burial rites?? More people to bury....

Burial which should be mourning ceremony has turned to SHOW OF WEALTH CEREMONY.Death an issue to ponder.

My, friend, while I commend your piece, I must lay stress on the fact that, the Church never forces burial rites on any family. One does not need rocket science to tell that this rife is actually between the Families ( those wanting the church way, and thos in favour of traditions). I sincerely think a less inflamatory caption will work fine (e.g, fAmily clash over preference of burial rites). It seems from the story that the unsuspecting church faithfuls were attacked by angry youths..........





Humbly

typical!