Okonkwo Samuel
His name is Mr. Gregory Okeke
He is from Abatete.
He is an AHOBA
The Primus of Onitsha Archdiocesan Seminarians as at 2017.
He furthered his seminary studies to Theology, at Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary Onitsha.
In one occasion, a notable formator in Onitsha Archdiocese which we wouldn’t want to mention his name threatened him with “Come and become a priest let’s see”.
The young man being docile and loyal to the Church, ignored the threats.
To him, it was just a minor threat; unknown to him that it would later be the beginning of his incalceration.
It dawned on many, when during their Set’s Diaconate Ordination in the year 2017 at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, filled with joy and anticipating to bow down to be used by God for the salvation of souls and the glory of God through the instrumentality of the Church, that his local ordinary, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, The Metropolitan See of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province ordered him to leave the line “Concelebrated mass” to usher in the new Deacons of the Church who will be elevated to the Priesthood the next year being 2018.
Yes, he was sidelined with no reasons of what he might have done wrong or committed to warrant such acts from the Church he served for good 18 years. He was physically present watching as his colleagues where ordained; but in the spirit realm “dead”. To me and so many others; that’s a very painful moment. His sets where later ordained Priest in 2018 and till date; no one has ever remembered him. Even when a seminarian asked a question to the Archbishop during reunion; concerning the matter; it was struck out outrightly.
Those who saw the walls of the seminary know the pain associated with it; that is why Cardinal Arinze would rightly say; to survive the seminary a day is a testimony on its own; talk more of surviving it for good “18 years”.
Many people, including priests, religious and lay faithfuls have raised concern concerning the issue but never met any answer on why this young man have to suffer this humiliation and shame after his service to God and to the Church. We have equally taken time to interview people who said that, if such happened to them; they would commit suicide.
However,so many people have lost their voices owing to “Greek Gifts”, they do not speak out to avoid being labelled “Fighting The Church” and fall out of loyalty with the Church whereas the Church have through Pope John XXIII said, let us open the windows of the Church that fresh air might come in; the church will always use weapon of mercy rather than tool of severity.
Have the Church forgotten that it was to make the Church more open, transparent and participative that the 2nd Vatican Council was convened.
What have this young man did, even after so many years of incalceration, he is still loyal to the Church?
The young man in question is well talented in music.
He plays guitar to a higher degree
He plays piano to a superlative degree
What about accordion, melodion, violin, viola?
There is no musical instrument, you will mention that Mr. Gregory doesn’t know how to play; he sings too and he has brought glory to the Church through his musical prowess.
The people are talking!
They demand answers!!
To know why this young man was sidelined by the Church.
Let me drop a little note by Pope John XXIII, when he convened the 2nd Vatican Council Through an encyclical “Pacem in Terris”
“Peace is possible only when the rights of every human being are addressed”
I plead the Church, out of goodwill and as a tool of mercy to look into the case of this young man; do to him as Christ would also do to the Church if he was visible as the “High Priest”…
To be continued……
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