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THE HISTORY OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MBUTU NGWA

Viewed from a wider geographical perspective, the Garrick Braid movement which destroyed all the ancestral shrines in Ngwa land and beyond served as an impetus to the introduction of Christianity in the area.

Between 1913–1915, the Niger Delta pastorate Mission (N.D.P.M) had established few ill-fated stations in Aba District. In Mbutu, as a result of the struggle for the right site for their church and the aggressive temper and high handedness of the resident Pastor Okia, warrant Chief Onyeugba Nwogu of Umuduru Village opted out of (N.D.P.M) to find another Church.

'THE BIRHT OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MBUTU NGWA IN 1916 AND EVENTS LEADING TO IT'

Documentary and oral evidences are unanimous in asserting that the Catholic Faith was official planted in Mbutu Ngwa in 1916 through the instrumentality of warrant Chief Onyeugba Nwogu.

At the time under review, Mbutu Ngwa had people who were versed and knowledgeable in the use of English and oral tradition- prominent among who were, Chief J.T. Amohu who joined the native administration in 1927 as a court messenger, Francis Ekwenye, the first Mbutu Ngwa man to serve as a court clerk in the native administration and Elder Alexander O. Ngwaba who resigned from teaching to serve as Railway Timekeeper in Port Harcourt.

WARRANT CHIEF ONYEUGBA NWOGU REQUESTS FOR WHITE CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES

The court Clerk at Owerrinta, the District Headquarters, and Mr. Joseph C. Anwa hinted to Chief Onyeugba Nwogu of the Catholic White Missionaries who also established schools along with their church and teach white man’s language. Following his quest for education and charges of corrupt practice which alienated Pastor Okia to his new converts, Chief Onyeugba Nwogu was happy that a much more reasonable substitute was in view. He requested that District Officer (D.O.) Mr. Borry during his routine visits to Owerrinta native court to contact the Cahtolic Missionaries for him, to come and establish at Mbutu Ngwa. Chief Onyeugba reaffirmed his request by touching Mr. Borry’s pen (a sign of agreement). Mr. Borry promised to undertake the venture himself to Emekuku about forty kilometers to Mbutu Ngwa.

REV. FR. LIDDANE ARRIVES MBUTU NGWA IN 1916

The climax of the negotiation which started in 1914 was the arrival of Rev. Fr. Cornelius Liddane (CSSP), in Mbutu Ngwa on 3rd January, 1916 with a letter of credence from the (D.O) Mr. Borry. Rev. Fr. Liddane was courteously conducted to the palace of warrant Chief Onyeugba Nwogu of Umuduru Village by Mr. Ucha of Umuichi Village.

That evening, as John Anya of the (N.D.P) Church and his converts were rounding off the day’s prayer, they caught sight of a White man, led by Mr. Ucha advancing in their direction. This led to unceremonious dismissal of the day’s activities and the curious crowd followed Fr. Laddane to the palace of warrant Chief Onyeugba Nwogu. When the elders of the community arrived, another warrat Chief Ekwenye Ihenka of Umuokwor Village promised to donate a piece of land on which the Catholic Church shall be built. The following morning, Rev. Fr. Liddane celebrated the first Holy Mass at Mbutu Ngwa.

Before going back to Emekuku, he promised to send a teacher who will teach the new converts the fundamentals of the Catholic Doctrine. To reciprocate the gestures, Fr. Liddane posted Mr. James Stephen Anedo, a native of Nnewi Ichi to Mbutu Ngwa.

Catechist Anedo arrived on a Sunday after a protestant service. He quickly familiarized himself with the people and conducted Church services after hanging a Crucifix inside the hut and placed some Holy water at the entrance of the hut. His method was in sharp contrast and a novelty to the Anglican method. He began by saying: N’afa Nna, na Nwa na Muo Nso-Amen accompanied with making the sign of the cross.

Before long, the people took the new mode of worship which has continued till date. Anedo spent one year and six months at Mbutu Ngwa and was succeeded by Messrs Fredrick Onwudiwe and William Osuji respectively.

In 1917, Rev. Fr. Liddane visited Aba and found a fertile ground for the Catholic Church. He appealed to the Christians at Mbutu Ngwa to help build up the place. They travelled severally from Mbutu Ngwa to Aba and cleared a site around the present General Hospital. But later, Fr. Liddane rejected it and chose the former Ekeoha Market from where the Mission shifted to the present site of Christ the King Church (C.K.C) Aba. Mbutu Ngwa people who provided the labour force that cleared C.K.C Aba in 1917 included: Paul Adawaisi, Christopher Uhuaba, Richard Nwogwugwu, Stepehn Eneogwe, John Ugboaja, John Ahunanya, James Nwaejike, Christopher Ubani. Albert Ugorji and Germane Ubani.

In 1918, Fr. Liddane was succeeded by Fr. H. White, who baptized the first three Catholic Christians in 1919 namely: Jacob Ekwenye, Francis Ekwenye and Paul Adawaisi.

In 1924, Rev. Fr. G.O Sullivan succeeded Fr. H. White while in 1925, Fr. Greotz popularly called (Fr. Grace) succeeded Fr. Sullivan and stayed till 1948. 

MBUTU NGWA AS A PARISH

Before the creation of Mbutu Ngwa Parish, St. Paul’s T.T.C was opened in 1956 with Rev. Fr. D. Egan as the pioneer principal. He was succeeded by Late Bishop Mark O. Unegbu. Both performed ministerial duties to Mbutu Ngwa Catholic Church.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish Mbutu Ngwa was created in 1959 with 15 out stations.

Lat rev. Msgr. J.N Ogbonna was the first Parish Priest. Mbutu Ngwa was under C.K.C Aba from 1920 to 1945 and later Mbawsi Parish 1945 to 1959. Other Parish Priests posted to Mbutu Ngwa included: Rev. Fr. C.C. Ibe, Fr. M. Liddy, Fr. Dr. S. Okeke, Fr. C.O Apassa, Fr. Dr. N.S.S. Iweh, Fr. J. Onwuka, Fr. E.E. Onuoha, Msgr. C.O. Obiego, Late Fr. J. Kalu, Fr. Dr. Alloy Nwabeke, Later Fr. S. Nnabugwu, Fr. D. Cajetan Uchendu,Fr. Nath Onyedeke, Fr. Ray Nwachukwu, Fr. Peter Okonkwo, Fr. Dr. Bruno Onyekuru, Fr. Marcus Chukwu, Fr. Paulinus Nwachukwu, Fr. Joseph F. Nnenji and currently Fr. Alphonsus Ekezie.

VOCATIONS

Mbutu Ngwa Station produced the following workers in the Lords Vineyard: Late Msgr. T.E Ahunanya, Late Fr. Dr. P.C Nwogu, Fr. C.G.O Onwunata, Fr. J.E Ugbaja, Fr. E.K Nji, Rev. Mother M.C. Echewa and Rev. Sr. Celine A. Eneogwe. There are many prospective Priests in the major and minor seminaries.

Also, it is worthy of mention that Saints Peter and Paul Station, Mbutu Ngwa has made significant progress in many sectors as steered by many elderly men and women most of who have gone to answer the clarion call. Cases in point include stumping and using direct labour by the women of Amaiteghete and contributing cash to build Mercy Maternity/Hospital. On completion, they handed it over to Late Bishop A.G. Nwedo of Umuahia Diocese.

Another monumental event is the erection of the magnificent Pro-Cathedral Church building at Mbutu Ngwa. The idea to build the Church was mooted by the elders of the then Church Committee under the Chairmanship of Late Patrick Omenihu.

On 1st January, 1976, members of the building Committee were appointed with Late A.D. Nji as pioneer Chairman. The building Committee met severally to face the challenges of building a befitting Church at Mbutu Ngwa. On March 28th, 1976, the first funds for the building were collected. On 2nd September, 1976, the building Committee collected the Church building plan from Amaechi Nwobbi KSM and Associates, Aba.

They deposited the building plan the same day with the contractor, Chief G.O Nnabuife KSM. The highlight of the struggle was the pegging of the building and consequently excavation of the foundation land on August 28th, 1978 when Rev. Fr. C.O. Apassa was the Parish Priest.

The building of Mbutu Ngwa Pro-Cathedral made rapid progress. By 1994, the building had been completely plastered and glazed. We are grateful to Almighty God for His blessings in Saints Peter and Paul Station, Mbutu Ngwa as the pacesetter of Catholic Faith in Ngwa land.

From the foregoing, it is significant to note that the contact which Mbutu Ngwa made with the Catholic Missionaries at Emekuku in 1916 predated any other contacts by other groups in Ngwa Land.

Mbutu Ngwa is the hub of Catholic religion in Ngwa land from which other Mission Stations radiated. 

==References==

This document was prepared by the Elders and Elites of SS Peter and Paul Station Mbutu Ngwa headed by Bro. P.O. Ngwaba KSM.

THE HISTORY OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MBUTU NGWA