FINALLY THE VILLAGE HAS AN INDIGENOUS PRIEST.
Below is a short story my mom told me, I understand her euphoria better, it has been a long walk to freedom indeed!
Some years ago, when we were still cartwheeling and having fun playing the normal kids play when the moon romances the sky, we woke up one morning in that very sad year of 1977 to hear a very sad news. Our deacon who was to be ordained our first catholic priest in a matter of months met an untimely death in a ghastly motor accident some few kilometers away from home. It was a terrible shock. With his death went away the prospect of joining the league of villages with a Reverend Father.
After his death, the village has had aborted hopes of a Catholic priest and a near success syndrome. Well to sustain the hope, we had in the period of interregnum many grandsons turned Catholic priests like His Gracê Bishop Donatus Akpan the local ordinary of Ogoja Diocese, Rev. Fr Solomon Uko of Abuja, Rev. Fr Ekpedeme Ekpe Great Britain, etc.
But today, history is going to be made as it has finally pleased God to send to us a son of the soil priest. He is going to make history today after his ordination as a priest of the Catholic Church. So the village is agog. Everyone is expectant. Prayers have been and are being offered. Masses have been booked that this one won’t be ectopic and we know those petitions have made the Divine portals.
So if your village has none, come share in our joy. As we waited for over 40 years for God to wipe our tears, as you felicitate with us, your tears also shall be wiped away. Congratulations Rev. Fr. Benson Emmanuel ( as you soon shall be) the 1st indigenous catholic Priest from St. Michael’s Catholic station Ikot Obong.