Adopt Rev Fr McGlade’s Missionary Legacy for Addressing Contemporary Challenges – Prof Chris Agbedo (Part II)

   BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

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In the face of the tumultuous times of Monday sit-at-home protests, Prof Agbedo further observed that Fr. McGlade’s response would have been rooted in peacemaking and community cohesion. “His sermons would have emphasized the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, due process, law and order over discord, recrimination, acrimony, and lawlessness, urging the misguided youths to engage in constructive conversations rather than succumb to the divisive and self-destructive currents of blind allegiance to conflict entrepreneurs and death merchants. “Fr. McGlade would have fostered an environment where the community’s voice could be heard without resorting to violence or culturing a seedbed of ‘unknown gunmen’ or ‘ungun known men’. In the face of politically-motivated killings that despoiled and plunged Elugwu-Ezike almost irredeemably into a vicious cycle of violence and damnation, Fr. McGlade would have easily slipped into the garb of a mediator and peace ambassador. “His initiatives would have included facilitating discussions between rival factions, promoting forgiveness, and calling for justice through lawful means. His responses would have sought to heal the wounds of political strife and rekindle a sense of community beyond the artificial and ephemeral boundaries of political affiliations.” In the context of contemporary social vices, “Fr McGlade’s responses,” according to Agbedo, “would have been characterized by a comprehensive understanding of the root causes. Rather than merely condemning, he would have sought to address the underlying societal issues that contributed to these challenges. Educational programmes, vocational training, and economic empowerment initiatives would have been integral components of his strategy to lift Elugwu-Ezike from the excruciating grips of social ills.”

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“For those ensnared by the clutches of social vices, Fr McGlade,” noted Prof Agbedo, “would have provided avenues for counseling and rehabilitation; his pastoral care would have extended beyond the spiritual realm, acknowledging the complex interplay of societal factors that lead individuals astray. Through counseling services and support networks, he would have strived stridently to guide drug addicts, cultists, political assassins, kidnappers, armed robbers and other social misfits back to paths of moral rectitude. In essence, Fr McGlade’s responses to instances of ritual killings, Yahoo Plus, Sit-at-Home protests, politically-motivated killings, and other social vices if he were still around today would have stood as an eloquent testament to the transformative power of practical Christianity. In a contemporary society of Elugwu-Ezike rife with socioeconomic, political, and moral challenges, Fr. McGlade would have navigated Elugwu-Ezike seamlessly through stormy waters, not merely as a spiritual shepherd but as a guardian of the community’s collective conscience. His legacy has great potential of a guiding light, inspiring Elugwu-Ezike to face its challenges with resilience, unity, and an unwavering commitment to the values that define its essence.” As the university don further observed, “the task before us all – both the clergy and laity – is how to turn this great potential, which Fr McGlade’s model represents, into a workable and functional practical strategy for reinventing and repositioning Elugwu-Ezike society, where peace, freedom, development, and indeed all positive indices of humanity reign supreme,” the guest lecturer observed.

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Prof Agbedo singled out Rev. Fathers Cornelius Obe (proprietor of Mario Institute of Hospitality Management and Entrepreneurship Education, Uhunowere and Leonard Odumegwu (Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Olido) as exemplars of the many remarkable clergymen and women that have emerged as worthy incarnates of Rev. Fr. McGlade’s transformative impacts and enduring legacies. In their various apostolic engagements, the guest lecturer noted that Fathers Obe and Odumegwu have exemplified Rev. Fr. McGlade’s “vision for education, spirituality, community engagements, and holistic empowerment,” which underscore the Irish Priest’s legacy as “a living testimony to the enduring ripple effect of dedicated leadership, where the seeds of positive change continue to germinate and flourish in the hearts and minds of Elugwu-Ezike community.” As these and other worthy incarnates continue to tread the path paved by Fr. McGlade Nwugwuanyị, Prof Agbedo hoped that “Elugwu-Ezike will remain a community blessed with leaders committed to uplifting both the minds and spirits of its people.”

Given the enduring legacy of Fr McGlade’s missionary adventure in Elugwu-Ezike, Prof Agbedo noted that “it is easy to demonstrate the value or significance of the Annual Lecture instituted by EECRAA in honour of the enigmatic Irish missionary and the imperative of sustaining it. In the area of intellectual and spiritual endeavours,” continued Prof Agbedo, “Fr Desmond Cornelius McGlade’s Annual Lecture emerges as a beacon of wisdom, insight, and transformative discourse as this worthy intellectual exercise has great potential of shaping minds, fostering dialogue, and igniting a spirit of inquiry within and beyond the confines of Elugwu-Ezike community. Fr. McGlade’s Annual Lecture is more than a mere gathering; it is a celebration of knowledge and wisdom. By annually convening experts, scholars, and thought leaders, the lecture series becomes a forum where intellectual luminaries share insights that transcend the boundaries of academia, enriching the collective intellectual capacity of Elugwu-Ezike.”

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In terms of the lessons for African Christendom, the guest lecturer maintained that “the impactful apostolate of Reverend Father Desmond Cornelius McGlade in Elugwu-Ezike transcends its local borders, resonating as a reflective lens that illuminates broader themes within the annals of Nigerian and by extension African contexts.” He noted “how the McGlade experience, the principles, challenges, and triumphs witnessed in Ezikeọba Kingdom can serve as a mirror for understanding and navigating contemporary issues across the Christendom of diverse African societies.” In his opinion, “Fr. McGlade’s experience in Elugwu-Ezike mirrors the universal nature of social challenges that echo throughout African societies. Issues such as striking a balance between tradition and modernity, the erosion of cultural values, and the interplay of Christianity with indigenous belief systems find common ground across the diverse landscapes of the continent. Elugwu-Ezike’s struggle to preserve her cultural identity in the face of global influences reflects a common narrative across Nigeria and indeed Africa. The erosion of cultural values in the wake of globalization, technological advancements, and external influences resonates as a shared challenge.” To that extent, Prof Agbedo contends that “Fr. McGlade’s missionary legacy in Elugwu-Ezike remains a source of inspiration for communities seeking to achieve success in this regard. As we gaze through the reflective lens of McGlade’s experience in Elugwu-Ezike, we recognize the universality of themes that resonate across Nigerian and other African contexts…In understanding and learning from the McGlade experience,” the guest lecturer expressed hope that “African societies will find a shared narrative that inspires resilience, cultural preservation, and community-centered solutions to contemporary issues.”

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On the issue of sustaining the McGlade flame, Prof Agbedo reasoned that success in this regard “impels us to remain steadfast in upholding the Irish priest’s commitment to education, which empowered Elugwu-Ezike community with knowledge and productive skills; fostering a sense of community cohesion anchored on Christian faith; nurturing a communal spirit that transcends individual differences; striking a balance between tradition, modernity, and Christianity; embracing a commitment to social responsibility; extending a hand to the vulnerable, echoing the missionary’s vision of a compassionate and caring community.” In summary, the guest lecturer opined that “the gains of Rev. Fr. McGlade’s missionary legacies in Elugwu-Ezike form a resilient tapestry of faith, education, and communal harmony. Consolidating these gains involves not only cherishing the past but also actively shaping the future. It is a journey that requires commitment, collaboration, and a shared dedication to sustaining the enduring flame of Fr McGlade’s missionary ideals in the heart of Ezikeọba people.” In his concluding remarks, Prof Agbedo enjoined his audience to allow “the flame of McGlade’s vision glow brightly, illuminating the path toward a future where the timeless values, which the enigmatic Irish clergyman championed endure, guiding Ezikeọba through the complexities of the modern age. In the spirit of unity, understanding, and commitment, let us embark on this journey together, forging a future that honours the legacy of Fr. McGlade while addressing the challenges of the present with resilience, wisdom, and a profound sense of communality,” Prof Agbedo concluded. The guest lecturer thanked ECRAA for providing him with the platform to rob minds with the clergy and laity on the salient issue of Fr McGlade’s missionary legacies. He wished the Rev. Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, and religious aspirants God’s grace as they continue to toil in the Lord’s vineyard and sustain the McGlade flame.

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Thereafter, question and answer session of the lecture, moderated by Rev Fr Felix Mama of St. John-Cross Seminary Nsukka, featured exciting discussions on pertinent issues that dominated the highly enriching lecture. In particular, the guest lecturer, Prof Chris Agbedo, a native of the neighbouring Ọlido community, was applauded by a number of speakers for not only delivering the 27-page lecture in undiluted Ezikeoba dialect but also in record time. Earlier, the 4th Rev Fr McGlade Annual Lecture Series commenced with a Mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr Ambrose Azegba of Catholic Parish, Ikolo. In his opening speech, the President of Enugu-Ezike Clergy and Religious Aspirants Association (ECRAA), Rev Fr. Cornelius Obe welcomed members of the Association, the guest lecturer, Prof Chris Agbedo and his wife, Dr (Mrs.) Ebere Krisagbedo, and the parishioners of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Umachi. He thanked the parish priest, Rev Fr (Dr) Otegbulu for accepting to host this year’s lecture. Fr Obe expressed hopes that the lecture series, which represents an aspect of the activities lined up by ECRAA for actualizing the bright prospects of canonizing Rev Fr. Cornelius McGlade, would be a huge success. This year’s lecture series was rounded off with a group photograph and sideline interactions with the guest lecturer, Prof Chris Agbedo and his wife. On the whole, the immediate take-away was that the lecture would leave enduring memories and lasting impression on the ECRAA members and the parishioners of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Umachi Enugu-Ezike!

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