It was double celebration for parishioners and friends of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Akama Oghe, on October 22, when they marked the Silver Jubilee of the parish, which coincided also with the Silver Jubilee of her first indigenous priest, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Jude Osondu Nzekwe.
Fr. Jude in 1998, became the first indigene of Akama Oghe Community to be ordained priest of Roman Catholic Church.
That same year, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Akama Oghe, was granted autonomous status by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, as an independent parish.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Akama was established in 1919 by Irish missionaries who brought Catholic faith to the Agbaje clan and her surrounding communities.
Since then, the church had been administered under different parishes, including St. Paul’s Parish, Eke, in Udi Local Government; Sacred Heart Parish, Iwollo, and St. Theresa’s Parish, Oghe, both in Ezeagu Local Government, until 1998 when it was made an independent parish.
Rev. Fr. Damian Udechukwu, the pioneer Parish Priest, laid the foundation of the parish, which is today, being served by the Congregation of Mission (CM), otherwise known as Vincentian Fathers.
The Parish marked her centenary (100 years) of existence in 2020, and also dedicated her magnificent Church Building.
It has since 1998, produced over 10 indigenous priests, with quiet a number of Seminarians in different formation houses awaiting ordination.
The Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Ernest Obodo, who presided over the October 22, 2023 double Silver Jubilee celebration, praised the development of the parish since 1998, as well as spiritual growth of the parishioners.
The occasion witnessed Thanksgiving, presentation of gifts, cultural display and entertainment.
