By Alex Enebeli

Rev. Fr. Ifeanyichukwu Uwabunkeonye, a US-based Catholic priest, has urged mothers and their children to always support their fathers in building their families especially at this austere time.

Uwabunkeonye, a Catholic Priest of St. Augustine, Francisco Parish, California, made the call during the 2025 Fathers’ Day Celebration at the Holy Family Parish, Ologo in Enugu North Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Catholic Church set aside a Sunday in a year to celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds and the role of fathers in the family.

Uwabunkeonye celebrated the Holy Mass alongside the Parish Priest, Holy Family Parish, Ologo, Rev Fr. Christian Oji.

The clergyman acknowledged that most fathers faced a lot of challenges in maintaining and taking care of their families.

He said that fathers needed support from their immediate and extended families in performing their roles pointing out that many of them suffered and died in silence due to the burdens and lack of love.

He, however, charged fathers to embrace their challenges with happiness and patience in order to live longer.

“Today, I task fathers on patience and joy in carrying your family duties. Our prayer is that wives and children should support you.

“If you don’t put happiness in carrying out these responsibilities, they will bring you down. See fatherhood as leadership.

He, therefore, called on children to love their fathers and never abandon them in their old age.

“Fathers should also treat their wives and children in a manner that they will regard and respect them,” he said.

In a remark, the Chairman, Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Holy Family Parish Ologo, Mr Hilary Ali, thanked the parishioners and Uwabunkeonye saying the parish had not had it so thrilling before.

He commended them for their massive support especially mothers who bought CMO uniforms for their husbands and a parishioner, Prof. Ignatius Maduka, for donating five pieces of the uniform to less privileged fathers.

Highlights of the celebration included special thanksgiving by Uwabunkeonye’s family, cutting of cake by fathers and their wives and drama presentation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Maureen Atuonwu