By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
Describing the life of a fallen hero is one thing; teaching the living how to carry on his legacy is another. Thus, in a highly didactic homily that served as both a tribute and a pastoral/spiritual direction, the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, at the funeral Mass of Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu, reaffirmed the vital link between local churches and the Papacy.
Addressing a mammoth throng of worshippers, including dozens of Bishops, hundreds of priests and consecrated women, catechists and seminarians, the Governor of Ebonyi State and top government functionaries, and thousands of the lay faithful who overflowed the Cathedral grounds, the prelate used the solemn occasion to deliver a profound masterclass on ecclesiastical discipline, the fragility of life, and the theology of Church unity.
Amidst the sea of mourners, Archbishop Ugorji paid glowing tribute to Bishop Chukwu, describing him as an empathic pastor who internalised the “joy, hope, grief, and anguish” of his people. He highlighted the late Bishopโs motto, โTotus Tuus Ego Sumโ (I am totally yours), as the driving force behind a ministry defined by intensive catechesis and youth empowerment.
โTo his work, Bishop Peter Chukwu brought intelligence and wisdom, the spirit of enterprise and resourcefulness as well as his gifts of gentleness and good humour.
A tireless prophetic voice, a strong voice of the voiceless, and an active crusader for social justice, Bishop Chukwu also brought to his ministry courage, always fearlessly speaking truth to power in condemnation of social injustice, greed and graft.
โIn many ways, the ministry of this late down-to-earth shepherd of Diocese of Abakaliki reflected the words of Pope Francis to bishops during the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janiero when he said: โThe bishop has to be among his people in three ways: in front of them, pointing the way; among them, keeping them together and preventing them from being scattered; and behind them, ensuring that no one is left behind but also and primarily, so that the flock itself can sniff out new paths.โ Bishop Chukwu was always present among his flock and ever dedicated to ministering to them.โ
With the instructive tone that characterised the entire sermon, the Archbishop offered practical guidance for the “orphaned” Diocese of Abakaliki. He urged the clergy and laity to remain steadfast; warning sternly against the formation of cliques and pressure groups, which he described as counter-productive to the process of appointing a new Bishop.
โI invite every priest and lay faithful of the Diocese of Abakaliki to personally renew his or her love, loyalty and allegiance to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who has been chosen by God to guide the Church at the present time. No Diocese can stand or move on as a Catholic Diocese without this essential unity and communion with the See of St. Peter, with the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ.
โI urge you, the priests and lay faithful of the Diocese of Abakaliki, to be united and fervent in prayer, imploring God to send you a shepherd after his own heart. I also entreat you to pray and work harmoniously together with Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, your Apostolic Administrator, for a transition period, marked by peace and unity.โ
Challenging the local presbyterium to foster a sacramental brotherhood that is inclusive and “catholic,” rather than one closed-in by clannish or parochial interests, he said:
โTo promote peace and unity, distrust and suspicion should not be tolerated among you and no room should be given to the peddling of half-truths, falsehood or making divisive statements that can cause acrimony or disaffection. Pontifical secrets must be respected as sacrosanct and treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Pressure groups and cliques are counter-productive.
They unnecessarily prolong the process of the appointment of a bishop when there is a sede vacante. It is easy to nurse the ambition of becoming a bishop, while forgetting that โif you have the mitre in your head, you can never have it on your head.โ
Reflecting on the shock of Bishop Chukwuโs passing at age 60, the Archbishop reminded all the worshippers of the sobering reality of human mortality. He noted that in a nation where insecurity and economic hardship have drastically reduced life expectancy, the faithful must remain “ever awake to the fragility of life.” He therefore challenged the vast crowd to look beyond the “passing glories” of wealth, power, and titles which he describes as “vanity of vanities”; and instead, they should focus on ongoing conversion and storing treasures in heaven through a life of virtue.
Archbishop Ugorji concluded by urging the Diocese to remain united in prayer with the Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Ernest Obodo. He prayed that the peace and unity displayed by the huge gathering of the faithful would continue to define the transition, thereby ensuring that the legacy of Bishop Chukwu remains a foundation for further growth of the Diocese.
