Rev. Ogbonnaya Bartholomew Ekene, a nephew to US-based doctor and renowned philanthropist, Dr. Godwin Maduka, has been ordained as a priest in the Catholic mission amidst excitement after he spent 17 years in seminary college.
He was ordained on Saturday, July 13 by the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia diocese, His Eminence, Peter Ebele Cardinal Okpaleke at St. Joseph Cathedral, Ekwulobia in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.
The newly ordained also held his first solemn holy mass of thanksgiving on Sunday at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Umuchukwu in Orumba South local government area of Anambra State.
He was also presented with a brand new car by his excited uncle, Dr. Maduka on behalf of his own home parish in his usual manner.
It was not the first time Maduka is supporting evangelical work. In the past, he aided the work of God with donation of cars to priests in addition to construction of church buildings and residential quarters to men of God.
Ekene adds to the growing number of ordained priests in Umuchukwu community, which at the moment is five.
The event attracted notable personalities, including a former Anambra Governorship Val Ozigbo.
The parishioners prayed for the man of God for divine strength and wisdom as he embarks on the journey to serving God on a higher calling.