LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD
IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS
My dear People of God,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I write from my hospital bed in St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf, Germany. How did I get to this place? It is part of the grand design of the all-knowing and all-loving God. The story is short but I want to make it a bit longer.
The week before was the meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at Kafachan, Kaduna State. There, we were treated to a very grand reception by Bishop Joseph Bagobiri and the faithful of the Diocese. At the end of the meeting, I left for Kaduna to meet with the members of Nnewi Catholic Diocesan Community (NCDC), Kaduna. It was a wonderful get-together with the Catholics from Nnewi Diocese resident in Kaduna. On Sunday, 13th September 2009, I celebrated Mass for the community at Kaduna. The Gospel invited all to renounce self, take up the cross and follow the Lord. Preaching, I called on people to reflect seriously on the gospel in the light of the “new gospel of prosperity”. “Suffering is not my portion!” “Poverty is not my portion!” “Sickness is not my portion!” I asked: “Whose portion is it?” Ours is, let God’s will be done!
On Monday, 14th September 2009, Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we left Kaduna at 5.30 a.m. I was travelling with Rev. Fr. Stanley Nonso Anaedo, my Secretary who was holding brief for Rev. Fr. Celestine Okonkwo, the Coordinator for Outreach Programme. Rev. Sr. Julie Agbakoba, the Accounts Officer was also in the car with us, together with my driver, Mr. Gabriel Anyigbo. I had lined up activities for the day when I got to Nnewi. I had booked a lot of appointments for Tuesday, ending with a meeting with His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze. Wednesday would have been the meeting of the College of Consultors to finalise the posting for the 2009/2010 Pastoral Year that would have published on Wednesday, 30th September 2009. We finished the Rosary and Morning Prayers. We passed Abuja at 7.06 a.m. We passed Kwali uneventfully. Then without warning the unexpected happened!
Before you knew it, a Hiace bus pulled out suddenly from the long line of vehicles heading to Abuja in an attempt to overtake another vehicle. I was not sure if the vehicle the bus was trying to overtake was a trailer or a luxury bus. In that split second, my driver saw the bus rushing towards us and moved out of the road. At the same time, the other driver tried to move out of the road and hit our car, which became a stunt car, flying and landing until it settled down in the gutter on all fours. At the moment of impact, a white light exploded in my head. Somebody told me that such experience was called NDE (Near Death Experience). The next thing was opening my eyes to see the battered body of Fr. Nonso on me. I was pinned down and could not move. My chest was racked with stabbing pains. The driver and Sr. Julie got out. They came out almost without any visible injury from the short and bumpy flight. Fr. Nonso and I were pinned at the back. Vehicles going in both directions stopped and I was pulled out of the vehicle. Fr. Nonso too was brought out unconscious. A Good Samaritan drove us to St. Mary’s Catholic Hospital, Gwagwalada.
There, I saw efficiency at work. Speed of reaction and care met us at the Casualty. We were immediately checked and cross checked for injuries. X-ray was done and other investigations including ultra sound were carried out. All the time, I was asking for Fr. Nonso. All the time, I was assured that his condition was stable. My condition did not look bad- a cut in the head that was not deep, blood flowing from a shallow injury in my left nostril were the only external evidence of injury. But I had excruciating pains in the chest. I was determined to carry the cross of pains. I realised in concrete what it means to contribute my suffering to that of Christ for the Church. As I lay on the bed, I did all to accept whatever pain came my way in the course of the treatment. It was not easy. The pains did come in many ways – the internal pain in the chest, the pricks of the needle as the doctors and nurses searched for the vein through which to give me inject.nd infusions, the pains to get up from lying position to sitting position and vice versa. The suffering was much but the love around me was even much more. The Handmaids of the Child Jesus were very kind and attentive. Led by Sr. Dr. Helen Omari Oko, the Chief Medical Director, the Sisters went all out to provide anything and everything needed. May God bless and reward them.
The whole day I did not see the others, Fr. Nonso, Sr. Julie and Oga Gab. I was in personal agony over my own pains and uncertainty about the extent of the injuries. But I was in more agony because I did not see my fellow victims. I asked incessantly after them and received the same reply. They are in a stable condition. At night while I was sleeping, I was reflecting on what stable condition could mean. It dawned on me that stable condition could mean death especially for Fr. Nonso who was unconscious from the scene of the accident. What condition could be more stable than death? The following morning, 15th September 2009, the Memorial of our Lady of Sorrows would be the day for sorrowful news. Sr. Dr. Helen, Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe. And Fr. Flight Lt. Francis Ofordum were very early in the morning in my room. I asked for Nonso. I was told something by Sr. Helen and Msgr. Adigwe added that he had gone. Indeed, Nonso was clinically dead on arrival at the hospital. I cried manfully but episcopally! Then Sr. Julie came in and asked for Fr. Nonso, she was told and she cried Sisterly. Oga Gab came and was informed and he wept profusely. Then we went together to pray over the remains of our erstwhile travelling companion who had reached his final earthly destination with a lively hope that he would reach our eternal resting place. Nonso was a good priest, friendly, cheerful, generous, obedient, available, indeed, a priest who knew no guile. I miss him as I prayed over the bier and the ambulance turned into a morgue that would take him to Ihiala. In all things give thanks to God! (1 Thess 5:18)
God’s way is the way of providential love. All these events were linked to the mystery of Christ and his Church. We were prepared for the accident with the word of God of the Sunday liturgy. We participated in the cross of Christ through the accident. We, both the dead and the survivors joined in the exaltation of the cross of Christ through which we are saved. The cross will continue to be the sign of contradiction, a sign that will be rejected by people who claim to be Christians but live as enemies of the cross of Christ (see Phil 3:18). Earthly well-being and prosperity are all they desire and pursue but their end is damnation (see Phil 3:19). St. Paul really gave us the pedagogy of the cross: it is foolishness for those on the way to eternal damnation but for those on the way to heaven, it is God’s power to save (see 1 Cor 1:18). Set for heaven, the genuine Christian embraces the cross of Christ willingly and joyfully, looking expectantly to heaven from where our Saviour will come (see Phil 3:20). The Christian celebrates the exaltation of the Cross of Christ and does his best like St. Paul to rejoice in his suffering with which he completes in his flesh what is yet left to be suffered by Christ for His Body, the Church (see Col 1:24).
The sad news of the death of Fr. Nonso was broken on the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows! Our Mother who carried her dead Son was there to console us at the irreparable loss. I was able to plumb the depth of sorrow when I was told of the death of the ever faithful priest, Fr. Nonso. I realised the sorrow of all fathers and mothers at the death of their children. Our Mother Mary bore the sorrow of seeing her Son die a shameful death on the cross. Stabat Mater dolorosa! She bore her dead Son on her bosom. She is able to console all who are in sorrow over the loss of their dear ones. Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercy and God of all consolation who consoles us in all our sorrows so that we can console all those in sorrow with the same consolation with which we are consoled by God see (2 Cor 1:3-7). In my own sorrow and with the consolation from God and from our Blessed Mother, I send words of consolation to the parents of Fr. Nonso and to the countless friends and well-wishers who are deeply affected by the sudden death of this pearl of a priest. May Fr. Nonso rest in perfect peace!
The decision to leave St. Mary’s Hospital, Gwagwalada was a difficult one. The Hospital and its staff provided all I needed in terms of comfort, concern and care. Human and medical as well as technological attention is available. However, the pressure to go overseas for a second opinion was mounting. Immediately the news of the accident reached His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, the Governor of Anambra State, he dispatched the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Amobi Ilika to come to St. Mary’s Hospital, Gwagwalada to assess the situation. Prof. Martin Aghaji came also and gave very useful suggestions. When the decision to go overseas was taken, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi was personally involved and ensured that the preparation and journey to Germany were hitch-free. I cannot thank him adequately for personally accompanying me to St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf, Germany and facilitating everything. My thanks go to Archbishop Valerian M. Okeke who came all the way to Gwagwalada and offered much assistance. I cannot sufficiently thank Dr. ABC Ojiako and his wife Heni as well as Dr. Virgy Anohu for their support and encouragement. The Superior General of the Daughters of Divine Love Congregation, Mother Ifechukwu Udorah, DDL provided logistical support and offered Sr. Etuosuluchukwu Ezenwafor, DDL to accompany me to Germany. Sr. Etuosuluchukwu is St. Raphael to me. Her knowledge of German, her experience in Germany, her connections and the connections of the Daughters of Divine Love made the trip to Germany a pleasurable affair. And so, on Friday, 19th September 2009, I left for Germany in the company of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi and Rev. Sr. Etuosuluchukwu, arriving at Troisdorf to the cheering welcome of the Daughters of Divine Love working in St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf.
So far so good! The Lord is ever at work. In everything the Lord is working for the good of those who love Him (see Rom 8:28). I can experience His love in the events of these few days. I am convinced that the sufferings of this time is not to be compared to the weight of glory awaiting the Lord’s chosen ones (see Rom 8:18). I am already experiencing the glory as I lie on my hospital bed. The number of telephone calls and text messages from high and low in the Church and society would have pulled in millions of Naira into the coffers of the telephone companies. I will ask MTN, CELTEL and GLOBACOM to pay royalty to me for having had this accident. The visitors were innumerable. Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop Martin Uzoukwu, Bishop of Minna, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Mother Ifechukwu Udorah, Mother Mary Langley, HHCJ, Rev. Sr. Mary Paul Asoegwu,DDL, Rev. Sr. Jane Frances Chioke, DDL and Rev. Sr. Paracleta Egwuonwu, DMMMM were among eminent Church personnel who came to visit me at the hospital. Her Excellency, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Deputy Governor of Anambra State came in person. His Excellency, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State was there. Distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also came. I was particularly touched by the big delegation of NCDC Kaduna. I thank all who came. I experienced the love of all. May God bless all of you.
In all things let us give thanks to God. Even as we prepare to bury Fr. Stanley Nonso Anaedo and as I bear the excruciating pains of a broken rib, I run to God with supreme confidence. I listen attentively to St. Paul: Do not be worried about anything, but in everything let your prayers go to God with thanksgiving (see Phil 4:6). What is the source of my confidence? It is that in all things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (see Rom 8:37). We suffer on buoyed by the expectant hope of glory in Christ Jesus our Lord.
With prayerful good wishes and gratitude for your love and concern!
Given on 21st September 2009, the Feast of St. Matthew the Evangelist at St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf, Germany
Most Rev. Hilary Paul Odili Okeke
Bishop of Nnewi
IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS
My dear People of God,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I write from my hospital bed in St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf, Germany. How did I get to this place? It is part of the grand design of the all-knowing and all-loving God. The story is short but I want to make it a bit longer.
The week before was the meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at Kafachan, Kaduna State. There, we were treated to a very grand reception by Bishop Joseph Bagobiri and the faithful of the Diocese. At the end of the meeting, I left for Kaduna to meet with the members of Nnewi Catholic Diocesan Community (NCDC), Kaduna. It was a wonderful get-together with the Catholics from Nnewi Diocese resident in Kaduna. On Sunday, 13th September 2009, I celebrated Mass for the community at Kaduna. The Gospel invited all to renounce self, take up the cross and follow the Lord. Preaching, I called on people to reflect seriously on the gospel in the light of the “new gospel of prosperity”. “Suffering is not my portion!” “Poverty is not my portion!” “Sickness is not my portion!” I asked: “Whose portion is it?” Ours is, let God’s will be done!
On Monday, 14th September 2009, Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we left Kaduna at 5.30 a.m. I was travelling with Rev. Fr. Stanley Nonso Anaedo, my Secretary who was holding brief for Rev. Fr. Celestine Okonkwo, the Coordinator for Outreach Programme. Rev. Sr. Julie Agbakoba, the Accounts Officer was also in the car with us, together with my driver, Mr. Gabriel Anyigbo. I had lined up activities for the day when I got to Nnewi. I had booked a lot of appointments for Tuesday, ending with a meeting with His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze. Wednesday would have been the meeting of the College of Consultors to finalise the posting for the 2009/2010 Pastoral Year that would have published on Wednesday, 30th September 2009. We finished the Rosary and Morning Prayers. We passed Abuja at 7.06 a.m. We passed Kwali uneventfully. Then without warning the unexpected happened!
Before you knew it, a Hiace bus pulled out suddenly from the long line of vehicles heading to Abuja in an attempt to overtake another vehicle. I was not sure if the vehicle the bus was trying to overtake was a trailer or a luxury bus. In that split second, my driver saw the bus rushing towards us and moved out of the road. At the same time, the other driver tried to move out of the road and hit our car, which became a stunt car, flying and landing until it settled down in the gutter on all fours. At the moment of impact, a white light exploded in my head. Somebody told me that such experience was called NDE (Near Death Experience). The next thing was opening my eyes to see the battered body of Fr. Nonso on me. I was pinned down and could not move. My chest was racked with stabbing pains. The driver and Sr. Julie got out. They came out almost without any visible injury from the short and bumpy flight. Fr. Nonso and I were pinned at the back. Vehicles going in both directions stopped and I was pulled out of the vehicle. Fr. Nonso too was brought out unconscious. A Good Samaritan drove us to St. Mary’s Catholic Hospital, Gwagwalada.
There, I saw efficiency at work. Speed of reaction and care met us at the Casualty. We were immediately checked and cross checked for injuries. X-ray was done and other investigations including ultra sound were carried out. All the time, I was asking for Fr. Nonso. All the time, I was assured that his condition was stable. My condition did not look bad- a cut in the head that was not deep, blood flowing from a shallow injury in my left nostril were the only external evidence of injury. But I had excruciating pains in the chest. I was determined to carry the cross of pains. I realised in concrete what it means to contribute my suffering to that of Christ for the Church. As I lay on the bed, I did all to accept whatever pain came my way in the course of the treatment. It was not easy. The pains did come in many ways – the internal pain in the chest, the pricks of the needle as the doctors and nurses searched for the vein through which to give me inject.nd infusions, the pains to get up from lying position to sitting position and vice versa. The suffering was much but the love around me was even much more. The Handmaids of the Child Jesus were very kind and attentive. Led by Sr. Dr. Helen Omari Oko, the Chief Medical Director, the Sisters went all out to provide anything and everything needed. May God bless and reward them.
The whole day I did not see the others, Fr. Nonso, Sr. Julie and Oga Gab. I was in personal agony over my own pains and uncertainty about the extent of the injuries. But I was in more agony because I did not see my fellow victims. I asked incessantly after them and received the same reply. They are in a stable condition. At night while I was sleeping, I was reflecting on what stable condition could mean. It dawned on me that stable condition could mean death especially for Fr. Nonso who was unconscious from the scene of the accident. What condition could be more stable than death? The following morning, 15th September 2009, the Memorial of our Lady of Sorrows would be the day for sorrowful news. Sr. Dr. Helen, Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe. And Fr. Flight Lt. Francis Ofordum were very early in the morning in my room. I asked for Nonso. I was told something by Sr. Helen and Msgr. Adigwe added that he had gone. Indeed, Nonso was clinically dead on arrival at the hospital. I cried manfully but episcopally! Then Sr. Julie came in and asked for Fr. Nonso, she was told and she cried Sisterly. Oga Gab came and was informed and he wept profusely. Then we went together to pray over the remains of our erstwhile travelling companion who had reached his final earthly destination with a lively hope that he would reach our eternal resting place. Nonso was a good priest, friendly, cheerful, generous, obedient, available, indeed, a priest who knew no guile. I miss him as I prayed over the bier and the ambulance turned into a morgue that would take him to Ihiala. In all things give thanks to God! (1 Thess 5:18)
God’s way is the way of providential love. All these events were linked to the mystery of Christ and his Church. We were prepared for the accident with the word of God of the Sunday liturgy. We participated in the cross of Christ through the accident. We, both the dead and the survivors joined in the exaltation of the cross of Christ through which we are saved. The cross will continue to be the sign of contradiction, a sign that will be rejected by people who claim to be Christians but live as enemies of the cross of Christ (see Phil 3:18). Earthly well-being and prosperity are all they desire and pursue but their end is damnation (see Phil 3:19). St. Paul really gave us the pedagogy of the cross: it is foolishness for those on the way to eternal damnation but for those on the way to heaven, it is God’s power to save (see 1 Cor 1:18). Set for heaven, the genuine Christian embraces the cross of Christ willingly and joyfully, looking expectantly to heaven from where our Saviour will come (see Phil 3:20). The Christian celebrates the exaltation of the Cross of Christ and does his best like St. Paul to rejoice in his suffering with which he completes in his flesh what is yet left to be suffered by Christ for His Body, the Church (see Col 1:24).
The sad news of the death of Fr. Nonso was broken on the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows! Our Mother who carried her dead Son was there to console us at the irreparable loss. I was able to plumb the depth of sorrow when I was told of the death of the ever faithful priest, Fr. Nonso. I realised the sorrow of all fathers and mothers at the death of their children. Our Mother Mary bore the sorrow of seeing her Son die a shameful death on the cross. Stabat Mater dolorosa! She bore her dead Son on her bosom. She is able to console all who are in sorrow over the loss of their dear ones. Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercy and God of all consolation who consoles us in all our sorrows so that we can console all those in sorrow with the same consolation with which we are consoled by God see (2 Cor 1:3-7). In my own sorrow and with the consolation from God and from our Blessed Mother, I send words of consolation to the parents of Fr. Nonso and to the countless friends and well-wishers who are deeply affected by the sudden death of this pearl of a priest. May Fr. Nonso rest in perfect peace!
The decision to leave St. Mary’s Hospital, Gwagwalada was a difficult one. The Hospital and its staff provided all I needed in terms of comfort, concern and care. Human and medical as well as technological attention is available. However, the pressure to go overseas for a second opinion was mounting. Immediately the news of the accident reached His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, the Governor of Anambra State, he dispatched the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Amobi Ilika to come to St. Mary’s Hospital, Gwagwalada to assess the situation. Prof. Martin Aghaji came also and gave very useful suggestions. When the decision to go overseas was taken, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi was personally involved and ensured that the preparation and journey to Germany were hitch-free. I cannot thank him adequately for personally accompanying me to St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf, Germany and facilitating everything. My thanks go to Archbishop Valerian M. Okeke who came all the way to Gwagwalada and offered much assistance. I cannot sufficiently thank Dr. ABC Ojiako and his wife Heni as well as Dr. Virgy Anohu for their support and encouragement. The Superior General of the Daughters of Divine Love Congregation, Mother Ifechukwu Udorah, DDL provided logistical support and offered Sr. Etuosuluchukwu Ezenwafor, DDL to accompany me to Germany. Sr. Etuosuluchukwu is St. Raphael to me. Her knowledge of German, her experience in Germany, her connections and the connections of the Daughters of Divine Love made the trip to Germany a pleasurable affair. And so, on Friday, 19th September 2009, I left for Germany in the company of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi and Rev. Sr. Etuosuluchukwu, arriving at Troisdorf to the cheering welcome of the Daughters of Divine Love working in St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf.
So far so good! The Lord is ever at work. In everything the Lord is working for the good of those who love Him (see Rom 8:28). I can experience His love in the events of these few days. I am convinced that the sufferings of this time is not to be compared to the weight of glory awaiting the Lord’s chosen ones (see Rom 8:18). I am already experiencing the glory as I lie on my hospital bed. The number of telephone calls and text messages from high and low in the Church and society would have pulled in millions of Naira into the coffers of the telephone companies. I will ask MTN, CELTEL and GLOBACOM to pay royalty to me for having had this accident. The visitors were innumerable. Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop Martin Uzoukwu, Bishop of Minna, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Mother Ifechukwu Udorah, Mother Mary Langley, HHCJ, Rev. Sr. Mary Paul Asoegwu,DDL, Rev. Sr. Jane Frances Chioke, DDL and Rev. Sr. Paracleta Egwuonwu, DMMMM were among eminent Church personnel who came to visit me at the hospital. Her Excellency, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Deputy Governor of Anambra State came in person. His Excellency, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State was there. Distinguished Senator Annie Okonkwo, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also came. I was particularly touched by the big delegation of NCDC Kaduna. I thank all who came. I experienced the love of all. May God bless all of you.
In all things let us give thanks to God. Even as we prepare to bury Fr. Stanley Nonso Anaedo and as I bear the excruciating pains of a broken rib, I run to God with supreme confidence. I listen attentively to St. Paul: Do not be worried about anything, but in everything let your prayers go to God with thanksgiving (see Phil 4:6). What is the source of my confidence? It is that in all things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us (see Rom 8:37). We suffer on buoyed by the expectant hope of glory in Christ Jesus our Lord.
With prayerful good wishes and gratitude for your love and concern!
Given on 21st September 2009, the Feast of St. Matthew the Evangelist at St. Josef-Hospital Troisdorf, Germany
Most Rev. Hilary Paul Odili Okeke
Bishop of Nnewi
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