“Heroes of faith”: Cardinal Onaiyekan Wants Stories of Pioneer Nigerian Priests Rekindled

In brief

Cardinal John Onaiyekan called for the stories of Nigeria's first Catholic priests to be retold to prevent them from being lost to time. Speaking during a session on the priesthood in Nigeria on September 9, the Cardinal described these early men as heroes of faith who established a standard of dignity and respect for the Church.

During his presentation, titled The Shepherds Nigeria’s Church Needs, Onaiyekan noted that the Catholic priesthood in Nigeria has a glorious heritage. He observed that the title Reverend Father remains a distinct identifier for Catholic priests in the country. The presentation was organized by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN).