Strange and bizarre? Flaunting and playing to the gallery? Grandstanding and overly sanctimonious act? What exactly was he looking for, in a Job that many see as one for the low -life, those who struggle and pull through life with financial strains and difficulties.
These and more are the first instinctive reaction of many as the news of Hon. Mcdonald Kelechi Ebere PhD becoming Government House Chapel Catechist makes the round.
It takes a deeper and contemplative soul to understand the very unusual but privileged position it is being a Catechist at whatever cadre. It is very challenging both physically and morally.
Ebere is the present Imo State APC Chairman , who on daily basis gets busy, saddled with the not too easy job schedule and description for a Chairman of a political party.
That position alone is enough mountain to hike and hue down. Adding an extra tones and kg of work to it may not from human perception a reasonable decision.
Severally I have tried to hazard justification for taking up such pastoral duties. The hard truth is, only him remains that one person that could genuinely disclose what informed his interest and acceptance.
Every other thing that gets clogged and fogged our minds remains in the realm and space of speculations, guess and mischievous skewing of whatever intention he has.
As human beings, we live oftentimes in a world that judges ,accuses and hoists on us things that are far from our nature, intention and disposition.
We get cast in such moulds that force differnt shapes on us, against the one we have naturally, creating rooms for one to be seen and assessed through the lenses of people’ biases and prejudices which oftentimes could be very dangerous.
Mac was my classmate both in the seminary and in Imo State University where we did postgraduate studies. I could say without sounding patronising that I know him. I have also tried to explain the reason for this his new status as a Catechist, the best and the nearest is using the Freudian psychosexual stages of Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and Genital. These are stages a healthy normal child should pass through.
For any reason one skips, or did not fully express or experience any of the stages, it could possibly show much later in life.
In the above light , one could see the very decision of Hon. MCDONALD KELECHI EBERE PHD to become a Catechist. In the Catholic organogram, after the priest is the Catechist. Some of the duties of the Priest, on delegation a Catechist can discharge. Maybe the suppressed priestly vocation of Mac is gradually finding expression in this Catechist work, just may be.
Beyond this possibility, one could also see such a choice from the aged but relevant saying of St Augustine that “Our heart remains restless until it rest in God”. It could be his way of seeking rest in God. A place to find fulfillment, joy and happiness.
For me, it is a bold step, one that has unimaginable benefits. Mcdonald has become by such an action a white Eagles that should at all times remain unreproachable, a cavet emptor to as many that would try to defile the temple of the Holy Spirit which he carries.
If you ask me, a good coping device, in a world where those in such high profile political positions are hot cake, attractive to many femininal souls.
Congratulations to you Hon. Catechist, Mcdonald Kelechi Ebere PhD on your installation as the Catechist of Imo State Government House Chapel.
Whatever informed this your choice , let the end be a glorious one, using it to make you a better politician, person and Christian.
Congratulations!
No better place to serve than around the altar of the most high.
Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com
