Fr George Adimike
It is a fact beyond rhetoric that grace flourishes in the prepared; it is a reality registered and etched in the lives of many that when grace finds a willing instrument, history itself is fundamentally impacted. The life of Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, spanning these 72 years, is a testament that grace flourishes better with a prepared soul. While preparation is an act of response to grace and signifies the active participation of the recipient, grace does not strip effort of value. To speak of Archbishop Okeke’s life is to engage in a tale of grace―a living scripture of grace―which is evident both in his life and in the countless lives he has touched. Yes, it is a tale of the convergence of faith, vision, courage, and humanity that leaves enduring imprints in time and memory, and awakens a fascinating and inspiring experience that leaves one thoroughly edified.
In the ocean of opportunities with vast tributaries of interwoven relationships, grace serves as the good compass without which one drowns. The discovery and proper response to grace sets the great souls apart from the rest of humanity. The Archbishop stands out not only for discovering grace in his journey but also for becoming its veritable instrument for many souls. In a dynamic and impressive manner, his life exemplifies a Gospel being lived in action, stripped of arrogance, worldliness and filled with grace and mercy. As such, his life is one of the few that leaves a lasting impact on history; it stores and sows countless blessings that he burns to illuminate lives and years. As he pours out his life to give life, one discovers that he is not spent; instead, all sectors receive the river of grace through the altar of his life, leading to an abundance and increase.
Within the limits of human circumstances, he has established excellence as a core value throughout the Archdiocesan pastoral and administrative operations. With his pastoral discipline, relentless quest for knowledge, inspiring and unwavering faith, absolute trust in divine providence, and profound spirituality, this stickler for excellence brims with morality and moderation. The rigour of his mental operations, evident in both his personal life and leadership, does not take away from his graciousness in dealing with the faithful, especially those who are vulnerable or struggling. Passionate about the flourishing of the kingdom of God and profoundly concerned about the well-being of the faithful, Archbishop Okeke has devoted these years to transforming souls and society for the glory of God.
The Archbishop’s life demonstrates the transformative power of faith, fuelled by love and driven by hope, such that it has become a legacy of service and greatness. He assists people in transitioning from the autonomy of self-will and selfishness and the heteronomy of party spirit and other gods that dominate consciences, to the theonomy, which seeks to deepen the reign of God in creation. In fact, reality warrants the conclusion that Archbishop Okeke embodies an integration of discipline and kindness, graciousness and righteousness, magnanimity and humility. The Catholic principle of “both … and” underpins his existential balance―dialogical and doctrinal, rational and passionate. The Archbishop gathers grains in a barn, yet scatters many as seeds; he protects the Church as a besieged garrison and at the same time leads her as a marching army. He stores and he seeds.
In the footsteps of great Church leaders throughout history—such as Athanasius, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, Basil the Great, Gregory the Great, Jerome, Charles Borromeo, Martin of Tours, Joseph Ignatius Shanahan, Oscar Romero, Fulton J. Sheen, and Francis Arinze—men who faced immense challenges and significantly contributed to the body of Christ, Valerian Okeke, the Archbishop, is now carrying the torch of faith and truth, building the institutions of hope, love, and human dignity. Just as these Church Fathers braced themselves for the trials of their time—defending the divinity of Christ, explaining the mysteries of the Trinity, articulating the depths of grace for the salvation of souls, establishing a formal priestly formation system, and preserving the Church as a force for good—Archbishop Okeke is confronting contemporary challenges head-on. For him, power without humanity is the bane of leadership. Hence, he essentially prioritises humanity over bureaucracy, truth over convenience, love before law, and service before self.
St Ambrose’s statesmanlike status, orthodoxy and holiness that compelled emperors to repent, St Augustine’s restless search and solidity that enriched theology with an enduring value, St Jerome’s love for Scripture, St Athanasius’s courage against heresies, St Basil the Great’s mainstreaming of social services in his Episcopal ministry together with doctrinal development, St Gregory’s humility in service, St Charles Borromeo’s dedication to Church reform, St Martin of Tours’ poverty and missionary witnessing, Venerable Shanahan’s radical commitment to fostering faith in Southern Nigeria, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s leveraging of mass media to evangelise millions, St Oscar Romero’s martyred voice of the voiceless’ witnessing, Cardinal Arinze’s demonstration of pastoral courage during the Nigerian-Biafran War while handing on the baton of faith with an admirable orthodoxy, and Archbishop Okeke’s pursuit of excellence in Christian discipleship each reflects a unique aspect of the same divine Spirit at work in different individuals across generations. Their unity of purpose and intent is rooted in Christ Himself, who inspired their zeal, sanctified their intellects, and empowered their wills. Together, these figures illustrate that the bishop’s calling—to teach, sanctify, and govern with courage and charity—transcends the ages.
The Archbishop addresses all aspects of evangelisation and human development. He has made magnificent contributions to infrastructural development, spiritual renewal, rural evangelisation, human capacity building, and the transformation of sectors such as education, health, communication, and social services, as well as self-reliant projects and Shanahan University, Onitsha. He created approximately 130 new parishes (in Onitsha and Aguleri dioceses), with his priests working or studying in 22 countries. This effort has resulted in a wealth of scholarships and various charitable initiatives. Imagine the impact of these parishes—think of the chapels of adoration, new churches, and schools that have been created. A key highlight of his service and enduring legacy is the establishment of the Skill Acquisition Centre for Nigerian Prisons in Onitsha, the first and only facility of its kind in Nigeria. This commitment to service earned him recognition from the Controller General, who honoured the Archbishop as the Grand Patron of Nigeria Prisons, granting him unrestricted access to all prisons in Nigeria.
On his birthday, one recalls that such anniversaries celebrate a series of triumphs over tribulations that offer unique opportunities for tributes of gratitude, a thanksgiving that commits to thanksliving. Over the years, his gratitude has matured into beatitude―thanksliving―and, by stretching the pastoral and leadership imagination, he has been able to let hearts soar and minds roar, thereby alleviating misery and forlornness. The lofty contributions he has made to transform lives beggar belief. As a leader who sees in every human person the possibility of greatness, the Archbishop will be remembered as a shepherd who turned grace into action, and action into an everlasting song of hope. He is a shepherd who teaches with his pen and life, lives as a light and a healing balm. Assuredly, his life’s witness will continue to teach valuable lessons long after his time. As he marks the 72nd anniversary of his nativity, we offer gratitude that our shepherd and father remains young as he ages. In fact, he matures and deepens, transmitting fresh grace and life as ever.
Fr George Adimike, PhD
findfadachigozie@gmail.com
