HISTORY OF NNE-ENYEMAKA PARISH, UMUAKA
In 1998, Rev. Everistus Eshiowu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, Imo State, while undertaking higher studies in the USA, encountered the Traditional Latin Mass after reading books by Michael Davies. Inspired by this discovery, he met a priest of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and was deeply moved by their mission, eventually discerning
to join them. After due consultation with his bishop, Most Rev. Ochiagha, and with his blessing, Fr. Eshiowu joined the Priestly Fraternity of St. Following two years of apostolate in America, he was sent back to Nigeria in 2001 to begin the Latin Mass apostolate. Upon his return, Fr. Eshiowu sought and received permission from his bishop to establish the Traditional Latin Mass. The bishop, enthusiastic about this initiative, granted him land to build a church exclusively for the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. In December 2001, Nne Enyemaka Shrine was formally handed over to the Priestly Fraternity of St. The apostolate was officially inaugurated on December 8, 2001, with a Solemn High Mass celebrated by Rev. Arnaud Devillers, FSSP, Superior General of the Fraternity. On December 7, 2002, the Traditional Latin Mass Association of Nigeria was inaugurated. Between January 2002 and December 2004, through the support of members of the Fraternity’s apostolate in America and Canada, as well as Traditional Catholics from the USA, Europe, Australia, and Canada, the following projects were accomplished:
Construction of a small rectory, kitchen, and dining room. Completion of a grotto where the statue of Nne Enyemaka is permanently located. Construction of an 18 ft deep, 10 ft diameter underground water storage tank. On December 8, 2003, during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop Ochiagha made his first pastoral visit to the Shrine following its inauguration. In December 2007, following the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum by Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Ochiagha announced plans to elevate the Latin Mass apostolate to the status of a personal parish. This milestone event was fulfilled on August 15, 2008, when the new bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, together with Bishop Emeritus Ochiagha, assisted at a Solemn Mass celebrated by Fr. Eshiowu and officially proclaimed Nne Enyemaka Shrine a Personal (non-territorial) Parish, to be administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, with Fr. Evaristus Eshiowu as its first pastor. When Summorum Pontificum came into effect on September 14, 2008, the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Very Rev. John Berg, FSSP, visited the Shrine and celebrated a Solemn Mass on September 15 in thanksgiving. As of 2016, the parish was served by two FSSP priests: Fr. Angelo Van der Putten as pastor and Fr. Timothy O’Brien as assistant, and the apostolate continued to grow. On August 15, 2017, the Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Gregory Ochiagha, ordained Rev. Charles Ike, FSSP, at Nne Enyemaka Shrine in a Pontifical High Mass. Since then, the parish has been served by Fr. Charles Ike as assistant, continuing to flourish under their pastoral care. Nne Enyemaka,
Pray for us.
