The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha at the weekend marked a major milestone in its spiritual and cultural history, celebrating 140 years since the arrival of Catholicism in Igboland alongside the ordination of 44 new deacons.
The event, held at the Basilica Square of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, drew thousands of worshippers, including priests, religious communities, and lay faithful from across Nigeria and beyond.
During the celebration, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Crotty, paid tribute to the pioneering Irish missionaries who first landed in Onitsha 140 years ago. He described them as “men of unshakeable conviction” who came “armed with nothing but the Gospel and a spirit of sacrifice.”
“Many of these missionaries gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel,” he said. “The faith we celebrate today was watered by their suffering.”
Archbishop Crotty highlighted the missionaries’ pivotal role not only in evangelization but also in introducing Western education to Igboland—an impact he described as both “transformative and enduring.”
“Education is light,” he noted. “Today we see the fruits of the labour of those missionaries. I encourage you to continue growing in faith so as to meet our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Presiding over the ordination rites, the Papal envoy reminded the 44 new deacons that ordained ministry is a lifelong journey of service, not a mark 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 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 gratitude to God for what he called a “divinely orchestrated moment in the life of the Church.” He praised the sacrifices of the early missionaries “who suffered so that others may live,” and described the Apostolic Nuncio’s presence at the anniversary as part of God’s providence.
“In your time, this historic event is taking place. This is not by accident; God knows,” Archbishop Okeke told Archbishop Crotty.
All the bishops from the dioceses of Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia, Nnewi, Enugu, Nsukka, Aguleri, Abakaliki, and Awgu—comprising the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province—were in attendance.
Credit: NCN
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