The Agba community in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has severed the purported marriage between two siblings in the area, Chiadiakobi Ezeibekwe and 17-year old Chibuzor Ezeibekwe.
The family, led by their father, Mr Lewis Ezeibekwe were on Saturday cleansed spiritually from the act which was deemed abominable by the community
The parish priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia, Rev Fr. Ignatius Onwuatuegwu of St. Joseph Catholic who officiated the cleansing mass prayed for forgiveness upon the family.
The children, Chiadikobi Ezeibekwe, a 25 years old Maths teacher and her 17 years old sister and student, Chibuzor Ezeibekwe, were cleansed and their marriage dissolved.
In his sermon at the mass which was held in front of Ezeibekwe’s house, Rev Fr. Onwuatuegwu said the gathering was an opportunity to emphasize on the social and spiritual consequence of incest.
He said, “This issue does not concern only the family of Lewis, it concerns the entire Ekwulobia
We are in a world that has disintegrated. This cleansing is important for all us and the entire country.”
Taking his sermon from 1st Peter 24:2 of the bible, the priest called on people to repent, saying that the sin of incest had become a frequent occurrence in many communities.
He said, “We are here to do reparation of the sin that is already rampant in our society. It is also an opportunity for us to do reparation for Ekwulobia.
“I am particularly touched by this boy, Chiadi. When I came to Ekwulobia, I met him as a boy yearning for the things of God. He was the leader of the block rosary group but here we are today. When I heard the story, I was taken aback. Only God knows what happened
Before the church service commenced, the eight members of the Ezeibekwe family knelt down before the traditional ruler, traditional prime minister and elders of the community and apologized to the entire Agba Ekwulobia community.
Chiadikaobi said he had accepted his wrong and asked for forgiveness from the community.
He said, “What we did was wrong and an abomination in our community. I feel pained in my heart. I did not do it because I was hungry for a woman or attracted to my sister, far from it.
“I apologize to everyone. I am very sorry for bringing all of you out here under the sun. Please forgive us. We have gone through the process of annulment and the marriage has been annulled.
His sister, Chibuzo said, “I ask for forgiveness.”
After the cleansing rituals, seven girls said to be virgins, adorning white dresses, used seven palm frond branches to sweep the Ezeibekwe compound.
