The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Rev Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor says there is no question about whether the burial control bill passed by the Anambra State Assembly to control extravagance in burials would be signed Into law or not.
The prelate who spoke with journalists said he would pester the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano until he does so.
Bishop Ezeokafor said, “Well, I think that there is a committee already set up to see to the implementation. All we are waiting for is for the governor to sign and if he doesn’t sign, but I believe he will; if he doesn’t, I will follow him until he does that. Because all these things are implemented to help the people.
“Meanwhile, parishes in this Diocese have started implementing it, regulating their spending with regards to burials.
“No one said it’s bad to give befitting burials, but you can make souvenirs; a simple card that people keep somewhere and use it to pray for the dead. I thank the House of Assembly for giving a duration for burials. It will also be implemented in the Church.”
Ezeokafor had long before the passage of the bill given an instruction to priests in the diocese on curtailing expenditures while conducting the burial of their beloved ones, including stopping them from cooking or distributing expensive souvenirs.
He said the bill by the assembly has made the church and government to work together.
“This change made is just like the Church and the government working together for the good of the people and the end point is to make sure that people will have less burden which are only man-made,” he said.
