chidiebre2020: SINCE the day Reverend Father Lutz from France stepped his feet on the soil of the ancient city of Onitsha in 1885, the history of the people of Eastern Nigeria has not been the same. Our history changed for the better. I do reflect, from time to time, on the heroism of European missionaries who left the relative comforts of their homes to come to Igboland and the rest of Eastern Nigeria from the 19th Century in order to bring the Good News to our people. Some died on the high seas. Some died of diseases like malaria endemic in the tropics. Some were killed by our people who innocently thought that they were strange and dangerous beings because the Europeans looked totally different from them. Yet, the Christian missionaries persisted because of their immense love of God and humanity. Father Lutz, Bishop Joseph Shannahan, Bishop Joseph Heery and other early missionaries are a perfect example of what the Bible calls agape love, or sacrificial love. May their souls rest in the bosom of the Lord. These authentic men of God did not just bring us the Gospel. They spearheaded the abolition of improper cultural practices like the killing of twins and the”osu” and “ohu” caste system. They brought us modern healthcare. The impressive hospitals they established in places like Onitsha, Ihiala and Adazi, all in Anambra State, several decades ago still provide our people with quality services. The Holy Rosary Hospital at Emekuku, Imo State, and St Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Akwa Ibom State, are among the numerous medical facilities established by the Church in Eastern Nigeria which have been of immense benefit to our people. Many people abandoned by their families and communities because they were afflicted by diseases like leprosy were treated in hospitals like these ones free of charge. I hesitate to imagine what Eastern Nigeria would have been without the Church. If not for Caritas, the Catholic charity, millions of our people would have perished during the civil war due to acute hunger. The Federal Government imposed an economic and food blockade against Eastern Nigeria because, as it argued, “starvation is a legitimate instrument of war”. Caritas cargo planes were strafed relentlessly, day and night. I personally benefitted greatly from the tones of dried milk, corned beef, salt, egg yoke, dried milk and other critical things made available by Caritas. The contribution of the Church to the educational development of Eastern Nigeria remain unparalleled. The missionaries used their limited resources to build schools all over the place, and products of these schools were competing favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. Generations of our best teachers, professors, lawyers, medical doctors and other professionals were trained in places like Christ the King College, Onitsha. I am a proud Old Boy of the great CKC. Up to 1970, many of the schools in various places in the Southeast were either established or managed by the Church. Like in other parts of the world, it has always been a thing of pride to associate with a Catholic Church owned or run school. Without the Church, there is no way Eastern Nigeria could have made the stupendous progress it has recorded in education, especially from 1945 when the Second World War came to an end. The Yoruba people of Western Nigeria, for instance, have a historical head start over the Igbo in education principally because major Yoruba towns and cities like Lagos are located on the coast; the white people who brought formal education to Nigeria came through the sea. Yet, within only two decades, the Igbo, to use Professor Chinua Achebe’s language, “had wiped out their educational handicap in one fantastic burst of energy”. By 1965, the Igbo were competing favourably with the Yoruba. In fact, there were more Igbo PhD holders among the Igbo than among the Yoruba, though the Yoruba had more professors. It is regrettable that the government took over Church schools in Nigeria, beginning with, of all places, East Central State (today’s Southeast). The forcible acquisition practically sounded the death knell of sound and solid education throughout the country. Hitherto, we received a kind of education which combined high academic standards with high morals and discipline. This was in line with the tradition of Catholic education everywhere in the world. It is, therefore, with joy that we note that some state governments have begun to return some of these schools to their proprietors. We look forward to having schools like CKC, Onitsha, and College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, as well as St Patrick’s College, Calabar, return to their days of glory. We also note with delight that the Catholic Church has demonstrated great keenness on the development of higher education, particularly since the liberalisation of the ownership and management of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It has far more private universities than any organisation. Some of the higher institutions it owns directly or indirectly are Madonna University which is the first private university in the country, Catholic University of Nigeria, Tansian University, St Augustine University, Renaissance University, Bishop Godfrey Okoye University, etc. It does, indeed, gladden the heart that the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, which in the mid 1990s established Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja, the most competitive secondary school in Nigeria, is working hard on building a Jesuit university in the Federal Capital Territory. The role of Opus Dei, a prelature of the Church, in the establishment and management of such famous new institutions as The Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos and The White Sands Secondary School, also in Lekki, Lagos, as well as the Pan African University in Lagos, is well appreciated. On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Catholic Church, it behoves the three Dioceses in Anambra State to seriously consider starting a famous university in the class of Pan African University, all the more so with the Archdiocese of Abuja about to establish a Jesuit University. After all, each of the dioceses is headed by a scholar of repute. We note with pride that the Church in the Onitsha Archdiocese and the Eastern Nigeria has remained faithful to its principal role: saving souls by reconciling man with his creator through preaching and practising the Good News. There are a lot of big churches everywhere, and many others are springing up rapidly. The churches are always full. Our seminaries, convents and monasteries are full of young men and women eager to serve God with all their being. Our people are the bedrock of Catholicism in every part of Nigeria. Bishop Shannahan described Eastern Nigerians as “natural Catholics”. We gave the Church Blessed Iwene Tansi, the first West African to be beatified. We gave the Church Dominic Cardinal Ekandem and Francis Cardinal Arinze. We produced Rt Rev Godfrey Okoye, the extraordinarily dynamic first Bishop of Enugu Diocese who had earlier served as the Bishop of Port Harcourt and led a holy life. We gave the Church Michael Eneja, the late Bishop of Enugu who led a saintly life right from the time he was in Onitsha as a young priest and inspired a generation of young people into going to the Ministry Mr. Chike MADUEKWE, a lawyer, writes from Anambra
So, you actually believe Europeans and the missionaries brought us good news and civilization?
Ethiopians has been following the doctrines of Christ before Christianity got to Europe. Now, they didn't call him Jesus, they called him HORUS. Horus is the first person to have been born through immaculate conception, died and resurrected, born by a holy mother called ISIS, walked upon the sea, raised the dead, killed by his enemy, had 12 disciples, fed many people with one fish, e.t.c. You can see clearly it was here Christianity and every other religion in the world got their idea of immaculate conception, die and resurrect, e.t.c. See video 1.
Also, before Judaism got to the Middle East it was practiced in Ethiopia as well. The last known descendant of King Solomon was emperor Haile Selaisie of Ethiopia. The book of Genesis and the creation story was copied from the book of Ra which was the creation story of ancient Kemet- Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia. See video 2.
What Europeans did was doctor the ancient African religious doctrines to suit their evil culture and enslavement of black people. That's how they created the Bible. Rome, and the European Christian missionaries then began to use bible passages to justify slavery.
Till the 1800 century, European and American churches and priests also widely held the view that “slavery was ordained by God”. Bible passages were often being quoted to rebellious slaves to remind them to obey their masters, as it was the will of God for them to be enslaved. Popular bible passages used includes the below:-
Ephesians 6 5:8 New International Version. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
1 Corinthians 7:20:22 New International Version. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you- although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
Colossians 3 22:25 New International Version. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
1 Peter 2 18:20 New International Version. Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
European missionaries did not do us any good. They were part of slavery!!.
Ancient Kemet, civilization, religion, history, e.t.c.
Yoruba's and igbos are miracle mongers.. You will always see them in noise making churches falling down into and out of annoiting.. They dont like how Catholics quietly and mannerfully pray.. We belive in the powers of the blessed sacrament which still works wonders... Proud Catholic
The great Irish Reverend Shanahan who is credited with spreading Roman Catholicism in Nigeria was based in Onitsha that partly explains why you have much more Igbos than Yorubas in the Catholic Church.
I guess the same also goes for the Anglican Church where Bishop Ajayi Crowther held sway. That's why the majority of Yorubas were Anglicans before the coming of Pentecostalism
uwajeh: The great Irish Reverend Shanahan who is credited with spreading Roman Catholicism in Nigeria was based in Onitsha that partly explains why you have much more Igbos than Yorubas in the Catholic Church.
I guess the same also goes for the Anglican Church where Bishop Ajayi Crowther held sway. That's why the majority of Yorubas were Anglicans before the coming of Pentecostalism
BabaCommander: Someone just said it's cus they can't do without women. But OP, when did Roman Catholics became Christians?
If you think the Roman Catholics aren't Christians, fine. But who brought christianity to Nigeria Let me guess Oyedepo or is it pastor Chris Who sets the date for Easter Let me guess again, is it Kumuye or Abeboye Which church usually start their prayers saying "In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Let me guess, Christ embassy
Believe me, read your Bible very well and you will know that as long as you believe Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, you believe in the father and Holy Spirit, you are a Christian. Case closed
Greenback: The catholic church and the very pious catholic reverends are not òkó ashawos..they aint given to dirty alatas or omo ageges... They dont sèpènise neither are they ogogoro freaks....they dont "owoda owomi da".... Catholics dont play paso pasopaso or skiiibooo...
So a square peg cannot fit in a round hole..uno
Gloriiaaa in echesis deoo...etu spiritu omniiibus...
but they do drug peddling, kidnapping, ritual, and cutism abi?
chidiebere2020: SINCE the day Reverend Father Lutz from France stepped his feet on the soil of the ancient city of Onitsha in 1885, the history of the people of Eastern Nigeria has not been the same. Our history changed for the better. I do reflect, from time to time, on the heroism of European missionaries who left the relative comforts of their homes to come to Igboland and the rest of Eastern Nigeria from the 19th Century in order to bring the Good News to our people. Some died on the high seas. Some died of diseases like malaria endemic in the tropics. Some were killed by our people who innocently thought that they were strange and dangerous beings because the Europeans looked totally different from them. Yet, the Christian missionaries persisted because of their immense love of God and humanity. Father Lutz, Bishop Joseph Shannahan, Bishop Joseph Heery and other early missionaries are a perfect example of what the Bible calls agape love, or sacrificial love. May their souls rest in the bosom of the Lord. These authentic men of God did not just bring us the Gospel. They spearheaded the abolition of improper cultural practices like the killing of twins and the”osu” and “ohu” caste system. They brought us modern healthcare. The impressive hospitals they established in places like Onitsha, Ihiala and Adazi, all in Anambra State, several decades ago still provide our people with quality services. The Holy Rosary Hospital at Emekuku, Imo State, and St Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Akwa Ibom State, are among the numerous medical facilities established by the Church in Eastern Nigeria which have been of immense benefit to our people. Many people abandoned by their families and communities because they were afflicted by diseases like leprosy were treated in hospitals like these ones free of charge. I hesitate to imagine what Eastern Nigeria would have been without the Church. If not for Caritas, the Catholic charity, millions of our people would have perished during the civil war due to acute hunger. The Federal Government imposed an economic and food blockade against Eastern Nigeria because, as it argued, “starvation is a legitimate instrument of war”. Caritas cargo planes were strafed relentlessly, day and night. I personally benefitted greatly from the tones of dried milk, corned beef, salt, egg yoke, dried milk and other critical things made available by Caritas. The contribution of the Church to the educational development of Eastern Nigeria remain unparalleled. The missionaries used their limited resources to build schools all over the place, and products of these schools were competing favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. Generations of our best teachers, professors, lawyers, medical doctors and other professionals were trained in places like Christ the King College, Onitsha. I am a proud Old Boy of the great CKC. Up to 1970, many of the schools in various places in the Southeast were either established or managed by the Church. Like in other parts of the world, it has always been a thing of pride to associate with a Catholic Church owned or run school. Without the Church, there is no way Eastern Nigeria could have made the stupendous progress it has recorded in education, especially from 1945 when the Second World War came to an end. The Yoruba people of Western Nigeria, for instance, have a historical head start over the Igbo in education principally because major Yoruba towns and cities like Lagos are located on the coast; the white people who brought formal education to Nigeria came through the sea. Yet, within only two decades, the Igbo, to use Professor Chinua Achebe’s language, “had wiped out their educational handicap in one fantastic burst of energy”. By 1965, the Igbo were competing favourably with the Yoruba. In fact, there were more Igbo PhD holders among the Igbo than among the Yoruba, though the Yoruba had more professors. It is regrettable that the government took over Church schools in Nigeria, beginning with, of all places, East Central State (today’s Southeast). The forcible acquisition practically sounded the death knell of sound and solid education throughout the country. Hitherto, we received a kind of education which combined high academic standards with high morals and discipline. This was in line with the tradition of Catholic education everywhere in the world. It is, therefore, with joy that we note that some state governments have begun to return some of these schools to their proprietors. We look forward to having schools like CKC, Onitsha, and College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, as well as St Patrick’s College, Calabar, return to their days of glory. We also note with delight that the Catholic Church has demonstrated great keenness on the development of higher education, particularly since the liberalisation of the ownership and management of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It has far more private universities than any organisation. Some of the higher institutions it owns directly or indirectly are Madonna University which is the first private university in the country, Catholic University of Nigeria, Tansian University, St Augustine University, Renaissance University, Bishop Godfrey Okoye University, etc. It does, indeed, gladden the heart that the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, which in the mid 1990s established Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja, the most competitive secondary school in Nigeria, is working hard on building a Jesuit university in the Federal Capital Territory. The role of Opus Dei, a prelature of the Church, in the establishment and management of such famous new institutions as The Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos and The White Sands Secondary School, also in Lekki, Lagos, as well as the Pan African University in Lagos, is well appreciated. On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Catholic Church, it behoves the three Dioceses in Anambra State to seriously consider starting a famous university in the class of Pan African University, all the more so with the Archdiocese of Abuja about to establish a Jesuit University. After all, each of the dioceses is headed by a scholar of repute. We note with pride that the Church in the Onitsha Archdiocese and the Eastern Nigeria has remained faithful to its principal role: saving souls by reconciling man with his creator through preaching and practising the Good News. There are a lot of big churches everywhere, and many others are springing up rapidly. The churches are always full. Our seminaries, convents and monasteries are full of young men and women eager to serve God with all their being. Our people are the bedrock of Catholicism in every part of Nigeria. Bishop Shannahan described Eastern Nigerians as “natural Catholics”. We gave the Church Blessed Iwene Tansi, the first West African to be beatified. We gave the Church Dominic Cardinal Ekandem and Francis Cardinal Arinze. We produced Rt Rev Godfrey Okoye, the extraordinarily dynamic first Bishop of Enugu Diocese who had earlier served as the Bishop of Port Harcourt and led a holy life. We gave the Church Michael Eneja, the late Bishop of Enugu who led a saintly life right from the time he was in Onitsha as a young priest and inspired a generation of young people into going to the Ministry Mr. Chike MADUEKWE, a lawyer, writes from Anambra
These are the kind of things that should he included in our primary school and secondary school curriculum, not stuffs like mungo park discovered river Niger
twentyk: Cuz we bloody AFonJA and gat tribal marks.... Oh not forgetten our amala and ewedu tendencies...wat u expect we from d brown roof republic....
So, you actually believe Europeans and the missionaries brought us good news and civilization?
Ethiopians have been following Christ before Christianity got to Europe. Before Judaism got to the Middle East it was practiced in Ethiopia as well. The last known descendant of King Solomon was emperor Haile Selaisie of Ethiopia.
What Europeans did was doctor the ancient African religious doctrines to suit their evil culture and enslavement of black people. That's how they created the Bible. Rome, and the European Christian missionaries then began to use bible passages to justify slavery.
Till the 1800 century, European and American churches and priests also widely held the view that “slavery was ordained by God”. Bible passages were often being quoted to rebellious slaves to remind them to obey their masters, as it was the will of God for them to be enslaved. Popular bible passages used includes the below:-
Ephesians 6 5:8 New International Version. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
1 Corinthians 7:20:22 New International Version. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you- although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
Colossians 3 22:25 New International Version. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
1 Peter 2 18:20 New International Version. Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
European missionaries did not do us any good. They were part of slavery!!.
Thanks! Was just about to reply but you did a good job. Christianity brought in and accelerated colonialism... it was just a means to an end for the colonial masters, they weren't doing us a favour. We now took the religion they brought and turned it into something else... a tool for segregation and oppression
If you think the Roman Catholics aren't Christians, fine. But who brought christianity to Nigeria Let me guess Oyedepo or is it pastor Chris Who sets the date for Easter Let me guess again, is it Kumuye or Abeboye Which church usually start their prayers saying "In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Let me guess, Christ embassy
Believe me, read your Bible very well and you will know that as long as you believe Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, you believe in the father and Holy Spirit, you are a Christian. Case closed
Thankfully, you didn't mention holy Mary and the hundred of thousand others perpetually pleading for you. I think it's Roman Catholics that should be urged to get a bible and read it.
Sammy07: Thank God, Yoruba aren't many in Catholic,,,, because if they become a revd father they would have disgrace Christians by raping some sisters and having children...
Also Yoruba sisters will be disgraceful to Christianity because they won't be truthful
Some oyibo, non yoruba rev fathers already cast enough slurs on the catholic church with their pedophilic homosexual activities. Nothing could be worse. Remove the log first before you bother with the speck.
Same reason why they are more Muslims in the North. It all boils down to which foreign religion first enslaved your people and their dominance. The Catholics obviously were the first to enslaved the igbos and they have gotten used to it.
BabaCommander: Thankfully, you didn't mention holy Mary and the hundred of thousand others perpetually pleading for you. I think it's Roman Catholics that should be urged to get a bible and read it.
Lol at least we don't plead to earthy god of men to pray for us. Talking about the holy bible, it would interest you that the bible came about through Catholicism or it will also interest you to know through generations to generations the bible has gone through translations and translations to English and other languages. The Protestant church was fed with the bible.
Sammy07: Thank God, Yoruba aren't many in Catholic,,,, because if they become a revd father they would have disgrace Christians by raping some sisters and having children...
Also Yoruba sisters will be disgraceful to Christianity because they won't be truthful
if they start with you now, you will start your victim cry as usual and start shouting they are too tribalist. your useless kinsmen are blind to see this now, but when they give it to you, it is then you will see their flat head filled with water as a result of the victim cry. make the yorubas just do as if they did not see this to avoid Igbos ghommids.
BabaCommander: Thankfully, you didn't mention holy Mary and the hundred of thousand others perpetually pleading for you. I think it's Roman Catholics that should be urged to get a bible and read it.
You think Catholics don't read their Bible. Is OK. But you know why I love the Catholic church, because the church is not just a church. It's an institution, an institution that conducts research, provides education and takes care of the needy. FYI, that Bible which you are always talking about, saying is it in the Bible, if you didn't know the Catholic church has all the original manuscript and has read it back to back, translated it into various languages before giving it to you. So stop complaining that we don't read the Bible, we practically made it, through the insprition of the Holy Spirit. Have a wonderful day
Lol at least we don't plead to earthy god of men to pray for us. Talking about the holy bible, it would interest you that the bible came about through Catholicism or it will also interest you to know through generations to generations the bible has gone through translations and translations to English and other languages. The Protestant church was fed with the bible.
Funny how u people twist and turn every issue...just like liars. I said get a bible and read it. The Romans didn't write the scripture, they only corrupted it with their pagan rituals. The English protestants translated the bible to exposed Roman Catholic idolatory. Need i say that the practised con men renamed their idols with the names of apostles and their images. Now go and tell your Father confessor what i said.
Idrismusty97: Same reason why they are more Muslims in the North. It all boils down to which foreign religion first enslaved your people and their dominance. The Catholics obviously were the first to enslaved the igbos and they have gotten used to it.
So what are you doing with a slave arab name Idris.
@Op, I am a yoruba and a proud Catholic. My parents have always been Catholic. Same with my maternal grandparents. I have a Bro who is a Catholic priest and distant relations who are priests as well. And am not from Ekiti but from the state of the living spring. We have so many yoruba catholics, priests and bishops (11) both in Lagos and in the hinterland. We are not noisemakers like the other denominations. My faith in Jesus Christ and my whole life has been shaped by the Catholic Church. I am a proud Catholic and forever will be. Also, I did my nysc in the north and there are many northern catholics and priests even in places as far as katsina. The Catholic Church is universal.
9jakool: The SW state with the highest percentage of Catholicism is Ekiti, and it's not even that high in comparison to the SE. It's due to its high rate of Christianity. I can't really say why SW doesn't have higher rate of Catholicism. Some Yoruba have negative perspective of the church. It may also be because missionary weren't as concentrated in the region. Local or native churches are very common in the SW though.
You think Catholics don't read their Bible. Is OK. But you know why I love the Catholic church, because the church is not just a church. It's an institution, an institution that conducts research, provides education and takes care of the needy. FYI, that Bible which you are always talking about, saying is it in the Bible, if you didn't know the Catholic church has all the original manuscript and has read it back to back before giving it to you. So stop complaining that we don't read the Bible, we practically made it, through the insprition of the Holy Spirit. Have a wonderful day
There's one thing i love about you, you are always talking about the bible, not defending church doctrine like others. It shows you want to know the truth from God yourself and serve Him truthfully. I can be it that you will not remain a Roman Catholic for long if you continue reading your bible and asking the Holy Spirit to help you. My prayer for you is that God will give you the grace to find Him and have a person enconter with the Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
