By Olivia Obijiaku
The Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish, Samaru, Zaria, Rev. Fr. Dr. Julian Chukwuemeka Ibe has defined the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity as the greatest of all the mysteries. Taking the stand at the Mass he celebrated in the parish on the Solemnity of the Most Trinity, also known as Trinity Sunday, Sunday, May 31, 2026, the clergyman, explained that though the Church teaches that there are Three Persons in One God, the idea is not a formation of the Church, but one that is rooted in the scriptures, before the birth of the Church.
He cited instances, in the scriptures, such as the creation where God the Father was the Creator; God the Son, the Word with which the world was created; and God the Holy Spirit, the Force that hovered over the earth, and the baptism of Jesus, where the Three Persons were actively involved and present. He then proffered accepting the little that the Church teaches about the mystery, than, like St Augustine, who cracked his brain in vain, until an encounter with a little boy, who tried to empty an ocean into a hole, convinced him of the futility of his quest to unravel the greatest mystery.
“The Church teaches us that there is only One God.” He catechized. “But in One God Head, there are Three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This the greatest mystery of God – a mystery that God wants us to share; a mystery that God calls us to participate in; a mystery He manifests in the scriptures. The scriptures reveal to us that God is a Trinity of Persons: that, in One God, there are Three Persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
“The Father, the Creator, was the Principal Actor of Creation. When it was time to redeem man from sin and death, He sent the Son to die for our sins. So, the Son is called the Redeemer. Before going back to heaven, the Son promised to send the Paraclete to His disciples. The Holy Spirit came and descended on the apostles on Pentecost Sunday. He is called the Sanctifier: the Creator, the Redeemer and the Sanctifier. The Son went to John to be baptized, and as soon as He came out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in form of the dove and, the voice of the Father spoke from heaven.”
Fr. Ibe called enlightened that despite the number of Persons in One God, they are all work together, being co-substantial, co-equal and co-external. He then urged them to emulate such unity of purpose that exists in the Most Holy Trinity, for the good of the Church and the society.
