In Memoriam: Most Rev. Dr. Victor A. Chikwe; (1938-2010).
The first Roman catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, His lordship, Most Rev. Dr. V.A.Chikwe, passed away on the 16th of September, 2010. His death was received with shock and sadness throughout the world. His death has united the entire people of Ahiara Diocese in grief and mourning: The Religious and the Lay faithful, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Catholic Men Organization, the Catholic Women Organization, the Catholic Youth Organization, the Mary League and Little Children of Ahiara Diocese, the Traditional Rulers and Top Government Functionaries, the Students and Teachers of academic institutions, and men, women and children from all walks of life and denomination.
Born on the 24th of June 1938, Victor A. Chikwe was a man of humble beginning who answered the call to minister to God’s people on earth when he entered the seminary and received the Priestly ordination on April 17, 1966. He lived an exemplary life of humility, honesty, and obedience to the will of God. His sense of devotion to the service of God and humanity was greatly rewarded when he was chosen to become the first Bishop of Ahiara Diocese which was carved out from Owerri Diocese on November 18, 1987. On January 6, 1988, The Most Reverend Doctor Victor Adibe Chikwe, JCD, DO, was ordained by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II.
It was a daunting task to head such a newly-created Diocese with few basic functional parishes, schools and infrastructure. Bishop Chikwe, fortunately, was the right person for the job. Despite his visible rise in the hierarchy of the Church, he remained humble and respectful. A man of great vision and audacity who never shied away from responsibilities, he embraced his difficult job with unflinching vigor. With his charming and inclusive nature, he brought the entire people of Mbaise together in his efforts to transform the rural and practically empty Diocese into an enviable community. He was a master at achieving so much with so little. He proved to the world around him that one can make a better world with simple respect, humility and inclusiveness than with unbridled power and brutality. Today, thanks to Bishop Chikwe’s vision and hard work, Ahiara Diocese has no less than 34 Parishes, 2 Seminaries, 5 Formation Houses, 4 Post Primary Schools, numerous Nursery/Primary Schools, male and Female Religious Houses. In addition, the Diocese boasts of several Hospitals/Dispensaries and a Bookshop.
Today, Bishop Chikwe’s family, friends, relatives, parishioners, the entire people of Mbaise community and his friends from around the world mourn his loss in a special way. We mourn his death; yet we celebrate his life. We are saddened by his sudden exit; yet we rejoice that he is in safe hands with the Lord whom he served with absolute commitment and diligence. We feel a void that’s hard to fill; yet we are strengthened by his continued spiritual presence. We shed tears of sorrow; yet we are gratified that The Most Reverend Doctor Victor Adibe Chikwe, JCD, DO, was one of us while he was here on earth.
May his soul rest in peace. Amen.
(By Dr. Charles O. Uzoaru, M.D.)
