In 1885, Ireland Catholic Mission send a team of its clergy to the defunct Eastern region. The mission was led into the region by the Reverend Father Latz. He was charged to win people of the region for Jesus Christ.
What a divine and noble decision their motive, especially openly declared intention for coming to Nigeria was.
The mission, which came into the Eastern region through Ogoja, decided to move deeper into the hitherland for its evangelism. The Catholic’s decision to move away from the coaster area of the defunct region was taken to avoid an unnecessary clash and competition for converts in Calabar and its surburb areas that had come under the influence of the Scottich Presbytarian Church led by Mary Slessor.
On arrival, Father Latz and other members of the mission started their missionary work in earnest.
What gave them the necessary impetus was the recognition of their lateness in coming. It, therefore, behoved them to redouble their efforts if they were serious about making a result-oriented impact in wooing and converting people to Catholicism. Besides, 1885 was the partition of Africa year by the whites especially the Europeans. It was, therefore, not a surprise that Father Latz rolled up his sleeves to drive the missionary work with an uncommon verve.
There was no presence of any white mission in Onitsha when Father Latz arrived the town, a thriving settlement, at the bank of River Niger. The town and other settlements, were found to be a virginland, an area, bubbling with a large population of pagans and idol worshippers. Yes, Father Latz was more than ready to convert the Igbo to worshippers of God and who accept Jesus Christ as Saviour of mankind.
Steps were quickly taken to deepen Catholicism among Igbo people. Schools were built. Father Latz and Bishops who later came to boost the pioneering efforts of making Igboland for the Catholic mission knew that education with a touch of Catholicism would undoubtedly produce future generations of Catholics in the area. They succeeded beyond their imagination. The Igbo accepted and embraced Catholicism in drove.
No wonder that early in the spreading drive of Catholicism in Nigeria, Igbo peole were recognised for their total devotion and dedication to the cause of Catholic. More than any other ethnic group in Nigeria, Igbo carry the banner of Catholicism to greater heights. After the pioneering Irish clergy men and women, Igbo have demonstrated their total commitment, to spreading the denomination among brethren and other ethnic groups. This was evident in a large member of Igbo, who are today reverend father, reverend mother, reverend sisters and brothers. Their decision was nothing but a mark of total acceptance of Catholic as a way of life.
In 19 century, both Christian and Islamic missions swooped on Nigeria. They came with determination to end paganism and idol worshipping in the country. Religion was the forerunner of colonialism especially for Britian that colonised the country. By the time Catholic mission arrived Nigeria, Islam had already taken up the Northern half of the country, leaving the South for Christianity to contend with.
The South-West had been brought under influence of Anglicanism. The return of the first black Bishop in Africa, the most Reverend Ajayi Crowther, to his fatherland had greatly helped the work of Anglican mission in the Yorubaland. Mary Slessor, the Scottish lady from Edinburg had helped the Presbytarian Church to spread the gospel of the church in Calabar area too.
It was, therefore, not a surprise that when the Catholic mission came, it went straight for the to Igboland with a resolve to make Igboland its new abode of religious campaign. The arrival of the Reverend. Father Latz at Onitsha in 1885 marked the incursion of Catholic Church in Igboland. Father Latz was, however, not alone in the spreading of Catholicism gospel in Igboland. The area was a virginland as far as imported religion was concerned and the Catholic mission was more than eager to catch possibly most Igbo men, women and children in its religious net for Christ.
That was why a Bishop, Joseph Sharahan, was sent in 1905 to Fasten the expansion of the Catholic missionary work in the area. To deepen the indoctrination of Igbo people and feed them with benefit of holy communion, an archbishop in the person of Charles Harvey, came and there was no looking back again. The mission completely plunged into Christianization of the area. Their efforts yielded an impressive reward.
The Igbo people did not only embraced Catholism, they also bought into the spirituality of the mission. Observers were surprised that Igbo who became Catholics were not averse to celibacy. In Africa, most people cherish children. They regard giving birth to children as perhaps the most important accomplishment deed in life. Black people, on is note, are unlike the white. The Europeans know that children are the sources of sustainability of humanity, but they do not place any premium on having children. Despite this reservation among black, many Igbo men and ladies voluntarily went into celibacy to the surprise of observers.
That is why it could said without fear of contradiction that the Igbo have produced the largest number of reverend fathers, mothers and sisters in Nigeria. It is therefore, common today that most Igbo were Catholic from birth. Their presence in protestant and pentecostal churches today is, therefore, a second choice brought about by modernity and maybe what is called the vogue and the denomination ruling the waves.
– Tajudeen Adigun
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