By Jonathan Ugbal
The remains of Pa Francis Ingwubel Akpo, father of Dr. Linda Ayade, the wife of the former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade on Monday began its final journey to mother earth at his residence in Obudu with a mass.
Pa Akpo passed away on Good Friday aged 81 years and nine months. A historian and educationist, Pa Akpo was a devout Catholic and a Patron of the St Charles Borromeo Choir.
CrossRiverWatch had erroneously reported 83 after initial consultations with family members and the statement of death issued from the family.
And, on Monday, lay faithful of his home Church, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish gathered at his residence along Anderson Street for a mass to open the mourning house with the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Humphrey Udechukwu pointing out that it is the tradition for the church to visit in solidarity as the dear departed can no longer visit the church.
This is a solidarity mass because our brother can no longer take himself to church,” Fr. Humphrey said, adding that the Church always celebrate mass for the dead due to the link between baptism and the resurrection.
The Clergyman pointed out that there are two major reasons for the Church to celebrate masses for the dead.
The first, according to him was due to the power Jesus Christ gave to St. Peter when he said in Matthew 16:18 that; “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The Clergyman said the power bestowed on Peter, and through apostolic succession via the Pope, the Bishop and Priests means that as the lay faithful gather to pray for the repose of the soul of the departed, God will receive them in heaven.
“It is our duty as the Church militant to celebrate this mass to pray for him and send his soul for God to receive him,” Fr. Humphrey said.
The second reason, the clergyman said, is hinged on the promise of the resurrection and the salvation of souls as Jesus Christ did not come to stop physical death but to ensure that believers have eternal life.
On his part, son of the deceased, Mr. Paschal Akpo commended the church for their visit as well as the donation to aid the funeral expenses and prayed that God replenish and continue to bless them.
Several other activities are lined up for the week including a novelty football match. The interment will happen on Saturday, April 27, 2024 after a funeral mass.
Find images from the opening of the mourning house below…
