By Charles Igwe
Fr Jason Nioka, recently ordained as a Catholic priest, has taken on his first assignment this summer: leading the Catholic contingent of Olympic chaplains at the Paris Olympics. This group, the largest among the Olympic chaplains, comprises 40 Catholic priests, religious, and lay faithful.
In a July 26 interview with Catherine Hadro on “EWTN News In Depth,” Nioka, who hails from France, described this opportunity as a “wonderful gift from God.”
Olympians are encouraged to visit the Multifaith Center in the athletes’ village, where a designated area for Christian athletes—Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants—allows them to read the Bible together, participate in lectio divina, and worship. Daily Mass will also be held at a nearby Catholic church, with services offered in multiple languages including French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
As a former Judo champion, Fr Nioka feels especially suited for this role. “I think for me it’s a great challenge because I know the sport,” he said. “The athletes do not need to hear something special. The first mission of the chaplain is just to listen.”
“We invite the Holy Spirit to be in charge,” he added. “Some will have success. We know that some will have some difficulty as well, but if we give them the word of hope and strength, maybe this will help them to give their best and to be the best athlete during the Olympics.”
Fr Nioka emphasized that his primary role is “to pray for them and to look after them,” considering this responsibility “a grace.”
