EDO, BENNIN CITY – The Holy Cross Cathedral in Benin City on Sunday celebrated its centenary, highlighting a century of Catholic mission, charity and the gospel’s call to “love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Dr. Peter D’Rock Uwaibi, speaking for the Uwaibi family and Mrs. Bennie Uwaibi Ikhena, commended the Cathedral’s legacy. He described it as “a driving force in developing orphanages and charitable causes” that embody Christ’s teaching.
“We heartily congratulate the Papacy, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze and the entire Holy Cross community for sustaining this faith tradition,” Uwaibi said in a message released in Benin City.
Archbishop Akubeze praised generations of parishioners who, despite social challenges, upheld the Church’s mission. He noted that the cathedral “remains a moral compass, reminding society to balance justice with compassion.”
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Very Rev. Fr. James Ogbeiwi, cathedral administrator, said the centenary reflects “situational ethics in action—faith guiding choices when principles meet human realities.” He urged Catholics to “continue works of mercy that give life to doctrine.”
Parishioner Mary Asemota told reporters the cathedral’s example “inspires us to serve the needy and remain faithful in difficult times.”
Mrs. Ikhena, President and Founder of Bennie International Group of Schools, Kano, joined the Uwaibi family in reaffirming support for the cathedral’s educational and humanitarian outreach.
The celebration featured thanksgiving Mass, choir renditions and a renewed commitment to charitable programs that have defined the Holy Cross Cathedral’s century-long witness in the Benin City Diocese.