Brief Biography of Contributors of this Site

FR STANISLAUS CHUKWUDIEBUBE ILO

Stan Chu Ilo, is a Nigerian priest. He studied in Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri , Nigeria obtaining degrees in theology and philosophy with honours as well as emerging as the best graduating student in both degrees. He was a student at the Pontifical Biblical Institute Rome, where he studied OT Hebrew and NT Greek. He also studied for one year at the Franciscan University , Steubenville , Ohio and is presently a student in Advanced Degree in the Faculty of Theology in St Michael's University in the University of Toronto, Canada. He is also pursuing an M.Ed in Educational Studies at the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham , UK . He holds a master's degree in theology, a professional certificate in education as well as diplomas in Justice and peace studies and conflict resolution. He was the National Coordinator for Jubilee 2000 in Nigeria and the Editor of the journal of African philosophy and Life, Encounter (2002-2003) in Rome . He is an emerging voice in African studies in the areas of religion, theology, development, democracy, gender equality, human rights and social justice. His articles have appeared in such influential newspapers and magazines like Thisday Newspaper ( South Africa and Nigeria ), The Guardian Newspaper ( Nigeria ), World Igbo Times ( London ), National Catholic Reporter ( Kansas , USA ), Catholic Register ( Toronto ) among others. He is the founder and director of the Peterborough-based, Canadian Samaritans for Africa and the Nigerian based Grassroots Action for Africa (whose journal, African Grassroots Action) will be out in June 2005. His new book, The Face of Africa: Looking Beyond the Shadows will be out in the summer of 2005. He was born on the Day of Transfiguration (6 th ) August, 1970 hence his tribal name, Chukwudiebube-the glory of God and that is at the heart of his inspiration in life that God's glory should shine out in all men and women and bring dignity and goodness out and in our humanity for the glory of God.

  

 

REV FR JAMES CHUKWUMA OKOYE is a Spiritan and Assistant Professor of Bible at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois. After a license in Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, Italy, a Master's in Hebrew and a doctorate in Scripture from Oxford University in England, he has been serving his Institute (Religious Order) and the Church in different positions.

 In the new context of mission, all have bread to give and to receive. Mission becomes a "mutual exchange of energies" (Ad Gentes, n. 19) among churches and groups. The growth of missionary consciousness in the "Third Church" is outlined, and the possible contribution of this church, particularly the Church of Africa, is detailed. For the first time in centuries, the Gospel is being transmitted without its Western cultural embodiment, making more urgent the demand that the Church become truly catholic, identified with no particular culture. The heart of mission is shown to be a humble and transforming dialogue of experiences of God and the Christ.

 

REV SR. MARY JOHN BOSCO EBERE AMAKWE was born in 1963 at Ikwuano Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Sr. Mary obtained BA Missionary Spirituality in 1995 and MA Social Communication in 1999 both from Rome. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Communication at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Below are some of her recent publications:

2001: “WOMEN AS MEDIA AUDIENCE” (ESSAY)

2001: “WOMEN AND THE MEDIA: OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT” (ESSAY)

 2001: “WOMEN AND THE MEDIA: THE IMAGE OF WOMEN THE MEDIA.” (ESSAY).

2002: “WOMEN AND THE NEW TECHNOLOGY: THE EFFECT OF THE INTERNET ON WOMEN” (PAPER).

 2002: “MEN AND WOMEN AS PARTNERS IN CREATING GOD’S KINGDOM IN AFRICA” (ARTICLE PUBLISHED: SEDOS INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE, ROME).

 2002: “HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT AIDS” (ARTICLE PUBLISHED: CROSSROADS MAGAZINE, ZIMBABWE).

 2002: “WOMEN AND THE SHARIA LAW IN NIGERIA” (INTERVIEW RADIO VATICAN).

   2003: “FACTORS INFLENCING THE MOBILITY OF WOMEN TO LEADERSHIP AND   MANAGEMENT POSITION IN MEDIA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA” (PhD THESIS).

 
 

REV FR JOACHIM OBINNA NNANNA was born on 14th April 1971.in Ehime Mbano, in Imo state, Nigeria. He studied philosophy and theology and holds a bachelors degree in both, from the Urban University in Rome. He was ordained a catholic priest on 11th July, 1998 in Nigeria, and is presently serving as the associate pastor of Our Lady of Mercy parish, Port Hope Ontario. 

 

 

REV FR DONALD KYOAPINE KOMBOH is a Catholic priest of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo in Nigeria.  He was born and educated in Nigeria; from 1978-83 he attended primary school in Army Children School Yaba Lagos State. From 1983-85, he went on to St. Finbarr’s College Akoka Lagos, and then from 1985-88 he continued secondary education in St. Andrew’s Secondary School Adikpo in Benue State. That same year he joined the Catholic Diocese of Yola in preparation for the priesthood, after the spiritual year program.  He was sent to St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Makurdi where he studied philosophy, graduating with a Diploma in philosophy in 1992.

From 1992- 1996 he was in St. Augustine Major Seminary Jos, Plateau State, where he studied theology, graduating with a Diploma in Religious Studies and Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, from the University of Jos. After ordination he was an Associate Pastor in St. Mary’s Parish Wukari, Taraba State, And a eleven months later he was assigned to set a pastoral area that later became a parish and he was its first Pastor from 1997-2001. At the moment the author is in the Department of Religious Studies in the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi Kenya, where he is doing postgraduate studies in Religious Studies.  

 To introduce us to this interesting site, the author has put together an inaugural study on a reflection on African traditional values of marriage and sexuality. It is hoped it will be quite intellectually stimulating, happy reading.

 

   

REV FR OHAJUOBODO I OKO was born in 1963, is a native of Mgbidi in Awgu L.G.A. of Enugu State Nigeria, and a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.  He studied Philosophy at the then Bigard Memorial Seminary Ikot Ekpene, and after a two years of theological studies at Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri proceeded to Germany where he is presently pursuing a doctoral course in New Testament Studies at the University of Bonn.  His stay in Germany serves primarily the purpose of widening his horizons particularly in the areas of theology, church, society and culture.  One of his strongest sources of strength is the pledge made by God to the Prophet Isaiah: “Do not be afraid because I have saved you; I have called you by your name; you are mine” (Isa 43,1). 

 Fr Ohaju believes that there is something in a name, because a person’s name not only expresses his or her identity but also acts as a life-guide.  “When God calls us by name,” he wrote a friend, “he identifies us, establishes a personal relationship with us and invites us to stay and be with him and at the same time pledges to stay and be with us.”  His wish is to make this message of God’s pledge available to the people he encounters.  At his leisure, Ohaju enjoys writing on topical issues.

 

 

REV FR LEONARD CHIDI ILECHUKWU is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Nigeria. He was born in 1969.

 

 

REV FR GEORGE EHUSANI is a Catholic priest. Fr George Ehusani is the secretary general of the Catholic secretariat of Nigeria. He is a leading Nigerian theologian. He has published many highly rated theological works and is a columnist to many Nigerian newspapers.  He was one of the periti at the African synod. He is both a poet and a musician. The Civilization of love is at the heart of his priestly Ministry

 

REV FR EMEFIENA EZEANI is a Catholic priest from Igbo-land, West Africa. Fr Emefiena has a lot to offer and he has this to say; 

"in this section, I will from time to time be discussing with you not only purely religious topics but also educational, developmental, political, cultural and historical issues. The reason for this choice of approach is not only that our faith is affected by each of the above, but also our entire human life can be enhanced or diminished by any of them. Whatever affects one aspect of the human person affects the entire person because a human person is in fact one.

It is hoped that this column will be able to stimulate the reader and call him or her to productive reflection. We continue to search for truth. But let us not fail to embrace the truth when we find it for that is the ultimate goal of learning or dialogue."

So, stay tuned.

 

 

REV FR ALEX OJACOR is a

 Catholic priest born on 9th Sep. 1967 in Katakwi district of Uganda. 
Fr Alex obtained Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil. Hons) - Makereke University and Diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies in 1990 from Katigondo National Major Seminary, Masaka; Bachelor of Divinity (B.D. Hons) - Makereke University and Diploma in Pastoral and Religious Studies in 1995 from Gbaba National Seminary, Kampala; Masters of Arts in Religious Studies in 2000 from Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi. Fr Alex started working on his Doctor of Philosophy Studies in 2000. 

Fr Alex has worked at the following areas:

1991 License Teacher Kidetok Girls S.S
1996 -Ordained Priest.
-Teacher Madera Girls S.S.
-Teacher Madera Seminary, Soroti.
-Secretary to the Diocesan Pastoral 
Council - Soroti Diocese.
-Secretary to the Bishop

1997 Rector Madera Seminary, Soroti.
1998 Diocesan Financial Committee Member
1999 Diocesan Consultor
2002 Part-time Lecturer - Catholic University of Eastern Africa - 
Nairobi - Kenya.
2002 Part-time Lecturer - Marist International Centre Nairobi -Kenya.
2002 First Examiner - Pontifical Urban University Examinations - 
Marist International Centre Nairobi - Kenya
2002 Evaluating KONRAD Adenauer Foundation Supported 
Projects - Nairobi - Kenya. 

Fr Alex has provided the following scholarly contributions:

1. "The Vocation Story" in Fields Afar, December 1999, Apostles of Jesus Magazine.

2. Editor, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Newsletter, Nairobi - Kenya, a bi-monthly publication of the National Service Team of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Kenya.

3. "The Concept of Sin and Evil and its Removal in African Thought System", in African Christian Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2 June 2002, a Journal of the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic Higher Institute of Eastern Africa, Nairobi.

4. "The use of Information Technology and its impact on Higher Education and Learning" presented to the Research Journal, a journal of the Department of Research of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Fr. Stanley Uche Anozie, smmm is a religious priest of the Congregation of Sons of Mary , Mother of Mercy, Nigeria. He studied Philosophy and Theology to Bachelor's level (B.Phil ; B.Th) at Seat of Wisdom, Seminary an affiliate institute of Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He also graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA.
Currently, Fr.Stanley is serving as an associate pastor at St. Dominic Parish in the CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO,CANADA . He is devoted to reading ,reflecting and writing on HUMAN CONCERNS and related studies. He is also working with D.O.O.R.S Inc. for refugees and their" JOURNEY OF FAITH", in the DIOCESE OF THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO.