THE OLD BOY OF THE MONTH
MOST REV. DR. LUCIUS IWEJURU UGORJI
His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji is the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese and an old boy of our seminary. He is a native of Naze in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State and was born on the 13 th of January, 1952 . He lived in Kano until his father, who was a railway worker was transferred to Umuahia. Since then Umuahia had become his adopted home. He had his primary education at St. Michael’s Primary School, Umuahia.
In 1964, the young Lucius gained admission into our seminary. He still recalls with nostalgia his days in the seminary under the watchful eyes of Msgr. Edward Ahaji. Bishop L. I. Ugorji finished his secondary education in the seminary in 1968, but had to wait till the end of the Nigerian civil war to sit for the London GCE in 1970.
Bishop Lucius then proceeded to the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu , where he studied Philosophy and Theology and came out in flying colours. In April 16 th 1977 , he was ordained priest in St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Umuahia. Providence gave him his first priestly appointment as the Bishop’s Secretary; he diligently understudied the legendary Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo, without any premonition that he would replace him many years later. In 1978, he was sent to Germany for further studies. There he distinguished himself, thus in 1984 he bagged a Doctorate Degree in Theology from the University of Munster , specializing in Moral Theology.
On his return to the diocese, he gained a brief pastoral experience as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Aba before he was posted to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu as a lecturer. In Bigard, Bishop Ugorji taught Moral Theology, Ecclesiology, Fundamental Theology and Germany Language. He was also the Dean of the Theology department and later the Vice Rector. His former students have not stopped telling the story of how committed and thorough he was as a lecturer.
As God would have it, on April 2 nd 1990 , Lucius was appointed the bishop of Umuahia and was ordained bishop on July, 1 st 1990 in a glorious ceremony in Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia. As a bishop, His Lordship has translated his academic successes to the pastoral field. Among what God has achieved through him in Umuahia diocese are:
- Completion of the magnificent Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia.
- Creation of more than (twenty five) 25 new parishes since 1990.
- Establishment of nine (9) new hospitals.
- Introduction of Kolping Society to the diocese, which has become national.
- Founding of the Umuchukwu Micro Finance Bank and Pax Bureau De Change.
- Establishment of UCL Resources and Investment Ltd.
- Etc, etc.
Despite Bishop Ugorji’s pastoral commitment, he still finds time for intellectual undertakings. He is a prolific writer. Among this books are:
- The Principle of Double Effect, Frankfurt , 1985
- Priestly Life and Ministry, Enugu , 1989
- The Memoirs of a Shepherd, Enugu , 2000
- In Service of the World, 2000
- That They May Be One, Enugu , 2000
- Witnessing In Charity and Truth, 2000.
Bishop Lucius Ugorji is the current Secretary-General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). He is also a member of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission , among other responsibilities.
His Lordship, L.I. Ugorji is a regular visitor to our seminary and has contributed much for her development. It is his sincere desire to ensure that our seminary remains the best in Nigeria . Thus, he is THE OLD BOY OF THE MONTH.
EVENTS BY OLD BOYS
MSGR. RAPH NWOSU
On the Saturday, 15 th of December, 2007, Msgr. Raphael Nwosu, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Aba celebrated thirty years in priesthood. He is one of our old boys and was in the seminary from 1962 to1966.
The ceremony was organized by his parishioners at SS. Anthony and Jude’s Parish, Umungasi, Aba . During the reception after the mass, Msgr. Nwosu’s parishioners, friends, colleagues and family members thanked God for the good work he is doing among them. They also prayed God to grant good health and many more years to the priest. They also showered him with gifts for his good work among them. We wish him many more years in the Lord’s vineyard.
CHIEF DONATUS UCHE EDOMOBI (JP)
Chief Edomobi, the Executive Secretary of the Secondary School Educational Board in Imo State celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his marriage to Lolo Chinwe Edomobi on Sunday, the 23 rd of December, 2007 . The ceremony started with a Holy Mass celebrated by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Lucius Ugorji, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia and many other priests at St. Charles Parish Umunumo, Mbano in Imo State .
Friends of Chief Edomobi used the opportunity to make donations to the Parish to build pews for the parish. The Rector of our seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Aguiyi was one of the dignitaries who honoured the occasion.
CHIEF (BARR.) CHUKA ODOM
Monday, December, 2007 is a day that may not easily be forgotten in the annals of Okwu Ikeduru, Imo State . On that day, the Honourable Minister of State of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Chuka Odom held a thanksgiving for God’s goodness on him and his family. The Honourable Minister was a seminarian in our seminary from 1974 to 1979.
Bishops Lucius Ugorji of Umuahia and Vincent Ezeonyia of Aba were present for the Holy Mass of thanksgiving in company of many other priests including our Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Aguiyi and the Vice Rector, Rev. Fr. Leonard Ehiemere. During the mass, launching for new Parish Church building was done. We pray for more blessing on Odom and his family.
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