By Chinenye Dike
Bigard Memorial Seminary’s centenary celebration entered the forth day as clergy, scholars, and the faithful gathered for yet another thought provoking symposium. The highlight was the Holy Mass presided over by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, marking a deep spiritual and intellectual exploration of the enduring impact of priestly formation in Nigeria.
Cardinal Arinze, a towering figure in the Catholic Church, presided over the Mass, reminding attendees of the powerful and sacred identity endowed upon priests. In a heartfelt homily, he reflected on the three sacred offices of priesthood: preaching, worship, and shepherding. He emphasized that priests are anointed with a special identity, configured in the image of Christ, with the sacred authority to lead in His name. “Through the ordination rite’s prayer,” he noted, “we ask God to renew deep within them the spirit of governance, enabling them to live as guiding examples to others.” The solemn reminder of this role captured the dignity and responsibility of the priesthood.
The Threefold Role of Priests: Preachers, Worshippers, and Shepherds
Cardinal Arinze outlined these three roles with clarity and authority. The Office of Preaching and Teaching, he explained, entrusts priests with the mission to transmit the Church’s teachings faithfully, grounding their sermons in biblical and catechetical truth rather than personal opinion. The Office of Worship and Prayer bestows on them the solemn privilege of celebrating the Eucharist and absolving sins, serving as ministers of God’s forgiveness and spiritual guides for the faithful. Lastly, the Office of Shepherding charges priests with gathering and guiding the community, embodying unity under the Bishop’s leadership.
With a voice both compassionate and authoritative, Cardinal Arinze urged seminarians and priests to approach these “sacred realities” with dedication and to cherish the spiritual privilege of their vocation.
Gratitude and Reflection: A Centenary for Commemorating Faith and Formation
In a moment of gratitude, Rev. Fr. Ohajiobodo Oko offered heartfelt thanks to Cardinal Arinze for his presence and to the Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Most Rev. John Ifeanyichukwu Okoye, and all gathered clergy, religious men and women, alumni, friends, and well-wishers. His words underscored the reverence and unity felt by all present.
Following the Mass, the centenary’s symposium phase continued in Bigard’s grand auditorium. Rev. Fr. Dr. Albert Ikpenwa, the Seminary’s Rector, formally welcomed attendees, highlighting the event as a profound moment for introspection on the Seminary’s journey. Fr. Ikpenwa introduced the keynote speakers, including renowned theologian Rev. Fr. Prof. Augustine Akubue, Hillary Achunike, and Rev. Fr. Dr. Chibuike Ukeh, lauding their contributions as “vessels of knowledge willing to share insights that shape our collective faith.”
Cardinal Arinze’s Keynote: The Transformative Role of Seminary Formation in Nigeria
Delivering his keynote address titled “The Impact of Formation Houses (Seminary Formation) on Education in Nigeria,” Cardinal Arinze spoke with deep reflection on the enduring mission of seminaries to mold priests into leaders, evangelists, and educators. He noted that remembering the seminary’s origins and honoring past achievements provided a powerful compass for facing today’s challenges.
Drawing from Hebrews 13:7, he reminded attendees, “Remember your leaders… and imitate their faith,” urging all to honor and emulate the faith of past clergy who shaped Bigard’s legacy. His speech dissected five core pillars of seminary formation:
- Forming Future Priest Evangelizers: Cardinal Arinze stressed that seminaries carry the serious mission of preparing future priests as evangelizers equipped with theological knowledge, practical wisdom, and spiritual virtues. This formation involves grounding seminarians in philosophy and Church-approved theology and instilling core virtues such as prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. He emphasized the need for seminarians to cultivate virtues like humility, obedience, sincerity, and self-control to effectively serve as ministers of sacraments like the Eucharist, Baptism, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of devotion, including Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion, and consistent prayer, as fundamental practices in a priest’s life.
- Key Role of Seminary Formators: He underscored that seminary educators should be more than academic instructors; they should embody the role of formators who model the life of a priest evangelizer. Noting that seminarians look up to their professors as role models, he highlighted the necessity of appointing formators who are genuinely committed to shaping future priests. Cardinal Arinze discussed potential motivations that draw individuals to the priesthood, such as financial stability and opportunities for study abroad and the risks of these incentives undermining true vocation. He suggested that a good formator must balance these considerations to foster genuine spiritual dedication over mere career aspirations.
- Continued Education for Priests: Arinze argued that a robust seminary education provides the essential knowledge for a priest’s initial years of service, but ongoing formation through diocesan seminars and continuous studies is crucial. This, he explained, prevents stagnation and ensures that priests remain effective in their ministry, equipped to address contemporary issues and deepen their theological understanding.
- Role of the Priest as Religious Educator: Addressing the challenge of declining religious knowledge among Catholic youth, Cardinal Arinze recommended that priests take an active role in educating the faithful, particularly in schools managed by the Church. This responsibility, he suggested, could help prevent young people from reverting to traditional religious practices. He also mentioned the priest’s duty to be well-versed in doctrine, ensuring their sermons and catechesis are rooted in biblical and theological foundations.
- Faith, Culture, and Inculturation: Arinze highlighted the importance of blending faith with local culture without compromising the purity of Christian doctrine. He referenced cultural practices such as the Ozo title, new yam festivals, widowhood rites, and other traditional observances, noting that priests should be educated to guide the faithful in embracing cultural values while avoiding syncretism. He encouraged bishops and formators to actively engage in inculturation, promoting cultural sensitivity in evangelization while upholding Catholic teaching.
Concluding, Cardinal Arinze urged the seminarians to view priesthood as a lifelong journey of service, humility, and growth, a path requiring unceasing dedication and resilience.
A Vision for Evolving Seminary Training: Rev. Fr. Prof. Akubue’s Insights
Rev. Fr. Prof. Augustine Akubue, in his own groundbreaking presentation, explored the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in seminary formation. Advocating for a fresh approach, he challenged the assumption that seminaries alone could evaluate their formation’s effectiveness. He called for assessments from parishioners, lay organizations, and parish councils—the “consumers” of the Church’s mission.
Using a four-box model, Akubue identified “Producers” (professors), “Implementers” (seminarians), “Finished Products” (ordained priests), and “Consumers” (faithful parishioners). He proposed that Bigard evolve into a university to broaden the academic formation of priests and embrace community feedback, fostering leaders adept at navigating the complexities of modern society.
“By listening to parishioners and community voices, we ensure that our seminaries produce leaders who are prepared to meet the needs of today’s faithful,” Akubue stated passionately, a call that resonated through the auditorium.
A Centennial of Reflection, Gratitude, and Vision
The symposium phase of Bigard Memorial Seminary’s centenary celebration offered profound insights, inviting reflection on the past and charting a hopeful path forward. It stood as both a commemoration and a challenge to seminarians and clergy alike: to forge a future rooted in wisdom, faith, and service, armed with the timeless teachings of the Church and the courage to face modern challenges with integrity and devotion.
As Bigard enters its second century, its legacy is one of hope, a promise to continue shaping priests who will stand as steadfast beacons of faith in Nigeria and beyond.
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