_Archbishop Valerian Okeke Urges Couples to Pray, Love & Forgive – The Key to a Crisis‑Free Family_
_During a pastoral visit to Blessed Iwene Tansi Church, Umudioka, the Archbishop stressed that prayer, love and forgiveness keep families united and thriving._
By Okafor Benjamin
In a powerful message delivered today at the Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Umudioka, Archbishop Valerian Okeke, Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, called on married couples to anchor their homes in prayer, love, and forgiveness to ward off family crises.
Speaking on the theme “Relational Character in a Family,” the Archbishop emphasized that “a family that prays together stays together.” He explained that consistent prayer invites peace, joy, unity and progress into the household, while genuine love acts as the glue that holds the family together. “Without love, a family risks disarray,” he warned, urging spouses to nurture a relationship free from suspicion and toxicity.
He drew a biblical parallel, recalling how an angel of God instructed Joseph to flee Bethlehem with Mary and the infant Jesus to escape Herod’s decree, illustrating the importance of prompt, divine‑guided responses in protecting family life.
Forgiveness was another cornerstone of his counsel: “A husband should forgive his wife, a wife should forgive her husband, and children should forgive their parents—and vice‑versa.” He added that each family member—father, mother, or child—has specific roles to play for the overall growth and harmony of the home.
In his welcome address, parish priest Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (popularly known as _Ebube Muonso_) thanked the Archbishop for his “home‑coming” visit, describing his sermon as spiritual, compact, touching, impactful and practical. Fr. Obimma highlighted the Archbishop’s mentorship, noting his scholarship support for students at Shanahan University, Onitsha, and announced a special scholarship for indigenes of Umudioka to further their education. He concluded with a personal pledge: “I’ll die a Catholic.”
The event underscored the Archbishop’s broader pastoral vision of fostering resilient families through faith, love, and mutual forgiveness.