By CSN Media
The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha over the weekend marked a historic celebration of faith, heritage, and mission as it commemorated the 140th anniversary of the arrival of Catholicism in Igboland and the ordination of 44 new deacons.
The dual celebration, held at the Basilica Square of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, drew thousands of worshippers, including priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful from across the region and beyond.
In his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Crotty, revisited the arrival of the pioneering Irish missionaries who first set foot in Onitsha 140 years ago. He described them as “men of unshakeable conviction” who came armed with nothing but the Gospel and sacrificial determination.
“Many of these missionaries gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel,” he reflected. “The faith we celebrate today was watered by their suffering.”
The Papal envoy noted that the missionaries not only evangelised but also laid the earliest foundations of Western education in Igboland, an intervention he described as “transformative and enduring.”
“Education is light,” the Apostolic Nuncio declared. “Today we see the fruits of the labour of those missionaries. I urge you to continue growing in faith so as to meet our Lord Jesus Christ, the foundation of our faith, on the last day.”
Presiding over the ordination rites, Archbishop Crotty reminded the ordinands that ordained ministry is a lifelong vocation of service rather than an attainment of status.
“Your ordination is not the end of struggle but the beginning of a new journey,” he said. “Anchor your ministry in Christ, who calls you to serve with humility.”
The newly ordained deacons, drawn from across the province, include Celestine Okeke, Valentine Obieze, Kevin Ejike, Cyril Umezuluike, Pius Okocha, Anthony Ama, Carmilus Nwoha, Pascal Okonkwo, Emmanuel Arinze, John Paul Ezeokoli, and John Eze, among others.
The Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, expressed profound gratitude to God for what he described as a “divinely orchestrated moment in the life of the Church.”
Archbishop Okeke recalled the sacrifices of the early Irish missionaries “who suffered so that others may live,” adding that the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio at such a historic milestone was part of a providential plan.
“In your time, this historic event is taking place. This is not by accident; God knows,” he told Archbishop Crotty.
All the bishops of the dioceses of Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia, Nnewi, Enugu, Nsukka, Aguleri, Abakaliki, and Awgu which make up the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province were also in attendance.