IT IS ALREADY 22 YEARS!

Exactly 22 years ago, on the evening of October 31, 2002, Bishop Mark Unegbu, who was the Catholic bishop of Owerri from 1970 to 1993, departed from us.

I still vividly remember that evening when the news was broken to me. That was 10 months before my diaconate ordination and 14 months before my priestly ordination.

My uncle’s last wish on earth was to ordain me as a priest, or at least to be present at my ordination. He was also the one who baptised me and also gave me the name Angelo.

Around September 2002, as it became clear to him that he had only a few days to stay with us physically, he did something symbolic: he brought out his most cherished suit and gave it to me.

The bishop was not only my revered great-uncle. He was a friend. We discussed a lot. I mean a lot.

When I heard of his death on this day 22 years ago, I was heartbroken.

My Lord, you still remain a light in our world. You did not teach with mere words but with your deeds.

You taught us that honesty, uprightness, and orderliness pay.

You taught us the beauty of compassion, generosity, and teamwork, but you also taught us to be courageous in our minds and to be faithful to our principles.

You were the epitome of justice and prudence.