By Nna Anulumadu
The vicar in charge, resident priests and members of the Catholic community of St Joseph parish Enekwasumpu on Monday, May 13th 2024 staged a funeral event to pay last respect to their late Parish priest Rev Fr Francis Obiegbu who died early hours of Easter Sunday.
The funeral ceremony which attracted large number of parishioners and friends of the Parish kicked off with a Holy Mass presided over by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese Very Rev Fr Prudentus Aroh, assisted by host of other priests.
In his Homily, a former Vicar of the Parish Sylvanus Eruchalu described the deceased as a good priest who was generous to a fault, adding that he lived his life with love and peace. ” Without mincing words, Fr Francis Obiegbu was a charitable pastor . He was a character moulder who taught many of us how to become a holy priest. In essence, he lived a holy life and by our human judgement, he is now in heaven as one of the saints of our time. Fr Obiegbu left exemplary legacies embedded in truth, humility, love and kindness. Personally, I am lucky to encounter him and I am proud of him even at death”, he posited.
The Archbishop of Onitsha His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke who was represented by the Episcopal Vicar Dunukofia region Very Rev Fr Aloysius Ikekwe in a speech extolled the vicar in charge of the Parish Rev Fr Emmanuel Igboegbunam for assisting greatly in organizing a betting funeral ceremony for their late Parish priest,describing Fr Igboegbunam as a hardworking priest who displayed a high sense of wisdom, knowledge and administrative acumen since the demise of Fr Obiegbu.
The Episcopal Vicar also appreciated the parishioners for their support and full participation throughout the funeral ceremony, describing them as people of faith.
The Vicar in charge of the Parish Fr Igboegbunam in his remarks thanked the Archbishop for his love towards the Parish and his commendable effort in giving Fr Obiegbu a befitting burial, describing him as good Chief Shepherd by every definition . He rained accolades on the Chancellor Fr Prudentus Aroh for the amount of care he has shown to the Parish since the death of their Parish priest, disclosing that Chancellor is doing a great apostolate by visiting the old and sick priests at least once a month. The vicar also appreciated the Parishioners for standing firm with him and for their cooperation, support and prayers during their mourning time, asking God to bless them.
The Parish catechists Vitus C Udeh, Elusius Ezenwamma and Fred Ekenwosi who spoke to the press described the death of Fr Obiegbu as a big shock to them, describing him as a hardworking, dynamic and workaholic priest who moved their Parish to an enviable height before his sudden death. They prayed God to reward him with heaven.
Also, the vice chairman Parish council Mr Chukwudi Bosah, his secretary Perpetual Ezedobe , Parish CMO president Emeka Osai and his CWO counterpart Mrs Ezeanyanwu Chinelo in their similar tributes described late Fr Obiegbu as an epitome of love, simplicity, honesty, gentility and charity, positing that he was a real compassionate father to them who took care of their spiritual and physical needs.
