Monsignor Donald Sonde Okoro

Several years ago, a young woman in her early twenties with six of her children and husband were living a peaceful, comfortable life until one gloomy day…

They woke up to the terrifying sounds of bombs, air-raids and shelling’s.  The woman’s husband had gone away to fight the war.  She was left with six children to care for.  She was a housewife with no one to help her; no relatives around and worst off she had no source of income.  Her life was beginning to change in a flash. The bombings and shelling’s were increasing by the hour, she had nowhere to go.  Her home town was already captured by the enemies.  A friend in the inner city of Owerri where she had fled for refuge after the fall of Onitsha took pity on her and offered her and her children a room in his home.  With the constant bombing and air raids it became very risky to continue to live in the city which had become a target. 

A difficult decision came up to either relocate to a remote town –Obibi for shelter in one of the evacuated and abandoned school buildings run by a young priest or to continue to rough it out in the inner city.  Between the two options, there were no guarantees as to a safe haven from the enemies. The decision, although, very difficult, kind of finger- biting was a no- brainer for the young woman who had insurmountable and unequivocal faith in her God.  She decided that the first option was the only option.  Her decision to seek solace in hands of God’s own person marks the beginning of a beautiful journey ahead.  The young woman is my mom, Josephine.  That in a nut shell was how the Ugwu’s path crossed with Monsignor Okoro’s and the rest of his family.

A decade later, the war was over, life was very hard for most Biafran families.  The future was bleak.  In a mail box tucked away amongst other mails was a special envelope with a mystery message.  It was a beautiful package from the USA.  In it were the writings that bore a message that would change the course of yet another young girl.  (This time, it was the life of the daughter of Josephine).  The mail had an offer of scholarship to the young girl to study overseas.  The mystery letter was from Monsignor Don Okoro who was studying in California at the time.  The young girl, in case you have not figured it out, is me with the gang that followed after me.  The rest is history….

Sometimes, I sit back and reflect and wonder what my life would have been like without this twist of fate.  If our paths had not crossed on that fateful day, a long time ago…. I wonder!   and I want you to let your imagination go on this wild journey with me –my  life, my parents, siblings, lovely husband, our beautiful son and of course the Okoro’s family.

Monsignor Okoro, we the UGWU/PRUETT family love you immensely and your kindness is embedded in our hearts forever.  We miss you dearly and pray that our GOD reserves a beautiful throne for you to rest from all your hard work to humanity. 

Our lives were changed forever because of you, your generosity and kind heart.  We cannot thank you enough.  May the good Lord welcome you; bless you for all you have done for humanity.

FIGHT LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER (1 TIM. 1:18)

Fight the Good Fight of Faith (1 Tim. 6:12)

Short Reflection at the Funeral of the Very Rev. Msgr. Donald Sunday Okoro at Mother of the Church Cathedral, Ahiara on October 10, 2013 (Thursday) 

By

 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Theo Nwalo

 This May Sound Like Oration. It May Be Historical. I Follow This Course To Draw Some Lessons.

 STRONG IN BODY AND CHARACTER

When Msgr. Don. Okoro joined us at St. Peter Claver’s Seminary Okpala in 1955; he was like a piece of iron. He, in every respect fulfilled what our Rector, Rev. Fr. Michael Doheny said every priest should possess.

     ¬  Body Power     ¬  Brain Power     ¬  Soul Power

In the football field, he was the Rock of Gibraltar. On stage, he severally played the part of the tough and solid guy, be he sailor or a robber in the Alibaba and the forty thieves fairy tale. How often did he not climb the dreaded “Devil’s Peak” of the hill at Uwani?

When the Nigerian army overran his parish (Obibi Ezena) in their bid to capture Owerri, Fr. Don. Okoro, dared the unthinkable. To escape from the occupied territory, he would not abandon the young girls to the soldiers. He organized a group of them and led them under cover of darkness through the enemy lines to FREEDOM in Mbaise. Thereafter he joined the Biafran Army and rose to the rank of Captain in the tough Commando Brigade. This Brigade was always rushed to the hottest battle front. Capt. Donald Okoro was always with his troop. I recall one day when the Nigerian fighter planes that frequently paraded the Biafran skies, shot at but missed him. This was on Owerri – Umuahia road at Afor Enyiogugu. Yes, God preserved him for more fight ahead.

FIGHTING IN OTHER FRONTS

Msgr. Donald Okoro, a strong character, fought doggedly for the causes he believed in. Bishop J.B. Whelan had an up-hill task of acquiring the much needed land for the church. He was smart enough to enlist some “African” priests in negotiating with the land owners at Owerri. Behold, young Fr. Don Okoro and late Msgr. Boniface Nwachukwu eventually were signatories to the acquisition of the expanse of land at Wethedral Road, Owerri. He had good rapport with the Owerri indigenes (OWERRE NCHI ISE) when (after the war) he became the Parish Priest of St. Paul, the only Parish then in the city of Owerri. He successfully obtain additional piece of land in belfry area of Assumpta Cathedral. He was popularly known as LANDLORD in Owerrri.

POST WAR BATTLES (OWERRI DIOCESE)

When the civil war ended (January 1970) the expatriate missionaries were expelled with our Bishop, Joseph Brendan Whelan, at the head of the group. Apart from suffering the greatest damage of the war, Owerri diocese was bereft of its bishop. Additionally, this orphaned diocese (now Owerri Archdiocese, Orlu and Ahiara diocese and the then fastest growing diocese in West Africa) was up for grabs. The diocese was thrown into the laps of a 6-year old priest, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Okoroanyanwu, who enlisted me as his Secretary/Chancellor.

The challenges were enormous. How do you effectively deploy 24 young priests to adequately minister to 50 parishes and so many institutions in the diocese? Additionally, how do you contain the so many other problems rising from the war situation? Some such monsters:

• Confronting the blood-shot-eyed Nigerian soldiers just out of the trenches looting and grabbing church property (landed and moveable)

• The anti-catholic government of Administration Ukpabi Asika and his very arrogant henchman Offiah Nwali who took over church schools and hospitals with the view to deal death blows to the Catholic Church

• The greedy locals who were cashing in on the present weak position to despoil the church

• The hunger, disease and unemployment in an unprecedented scale among the Biafran survivors and their consequent low spirit.

• The serious Muslim incursion (with relief materials and all) into this bastion of catholic faith.

The counter attack was done with faith and courage. Motivated by the Administrator Msgr. Ignatius Okoroanyanwu (an Mbaise son), armed with few household utensils, the priests and religious were encouraged to move into the fray.

In this multi-dimensional battle, the vocation issue was kept very much in focus. There was that struggle (despite the military’s intimidating posture) for the Nigerian army to release to us our seminary at Okpala which they had turned into a huge military camp. While this was going on, we negotiate to use the Spiritan’s seminary at Awo Omama as our Junior Seminary. What of the Senior Seminarians? As fatherless children, they were hanging around us looking for encouragement. We sold one of Bishop Whelan’s cars (Peugeot 404) and used the proceeds to sow a soutane for each of them. We sent them back to Bigard seminary and asked them to be of good cheers as this was only a temporary set back.

COUNTER ATTACK

In all these problems, we saw ourselves as David fighting Goliath. Nay, where David fought one Goliath, we were being confronted by at least 5 Goliaths. We did what David did. We faced them with faith, prayer, courage, sacrifice and unity of purpose.

There is a folklore which appeals to God to come to the aid of the poor and down-trodden (very much a kin to the story of David and Goliath). This story tells of the SMALL animals that struggled and built a beautiful house for themselves. Along came the BIG animals who unjustly claimed ownership of the house. The two parties agreed to settle the matter through wrestling contest. The BIG animals presented the elephant while the SMALL one fielded the little cricket. As they engaged themselves, the little cricket jumped and landed inside the nose of the elephant. While wriggling to get rid of the little cricket inside his nose, the elephant fell. End of the dispute.

In all these struggles, Msgr. Donald Okoro, a real fighter for a just cause, was always available and did wade into the thick section of the battles. We used his talents for good purposes.

Today, the results are evident. Instead of destruction and death of the church’s mission (as those with the same mind of prophet Jonah expected), churches/parishes are springing up everywhere. There is vocation boom, and our sons and daughters (priests and religious) are spanning out across the globe vigorously proclaiming the good news of salvation.

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Special tribute goes to the chief celebrant at this funeral Mass Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Ezeonyia of Aba diocese. When Owerri diocese was lying prone and up for grabs by greedy persons and groups, Msgr. Okoroanyanwu and myself urged the then Fr. Vincent Ezeonyia to stay put in that remote and border area, Egbema, to wedge the unslaught and secure the place. This he willingly did despite the sacrifices involved. It is thanks to his apostolate in that area that today we have Egbema as part of the then East Central State, and now Imo State. Both government and church owe him a lot of gratitude for his courage and sacrifice. It is also an object lesson that none of us should sit back and relax while we can contribute to a better future through vision and sacrifice. This is in line with the life style of Msgr. Don Okoro whose remains lie before us in this cathedral.

THE MOVEMENT FOR AHIARA DIOCESE

In late 1966 (December), Bishop Whelan blessed and opened the new Rectory of St. Michael’s Parish, Okwuato, Mbaise (now St. Michael’s Lagwa). On the occasion, Mbaise prominent Catholics (including, Barrister A.T. Mbegbu – the Owerri Diocesan Attorney; Hon. P.O. Nwoga, Mr. James Nworgu, etc.) pleaded with the bishop to create an Mbaise diocese. This pastoral bishop came back to seat and summoned us the few “African Priests” to a meeting. He tabled before us the request of Mbaise people and asked for our advice. We the Bigard Old Boys (B.O.B.) as we called association (with myself as the secretary) went and seriously deliberated on the issue. We advised the Bishop that both Orlu and Mbaise Deaneries were potential dioceses and he should do everything possible to build them up. He heartily welcomed our input and promised to implement it. Alas, the war soon broke out ending in the expulsion of the missionaries (with our bishop at the head, in January 1970. Orlu diocese came in 1981. Mbaise diocese was to wait for some indefinite time. A diocese for Mbaise was an uphill task. Mbaise is completely rural, poor and more or less like an enclave. However, they have in their favour, vibrancy in faith and an abundance of vocations to priesthood and religious life. Both the clergy and lay faithful pushed and worked tirelessly for it and with Fr. Donald Okoro in the thick of the movement

Ahiara diocese was created on November 18, 1987. Before its inauguration on January 31, 1988, led by our President Fr. Donald Okoro, we had a mini-retreat, handing ourselves and young diocese to over to God vowing to build it up in unity, love, zeal and with the sacrifices involved. Towards this, we the clergy made a strong gesture of support to the bishop, Victor Chikwe. We from our penury, contributed office materials (paper, pens, typewriter, duplicating machine, some cash etc.) which we handed to the bishop and assured him we were totally with him in the work ahead.

While all these were going on, some pessimists outside Mbaise, were once more like Jonah, waiting to gloat over the impeding doom. On our part, we knew we had the treasure hidden in the field. With power and art; with prayer, unity, love and sacrifice, we (both lay, priests and religious) went ahead and built this poor rural Ahiara into an enviable diocese. After 23 years under the leadership of late Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe, this first rural diocese in Africa, or at least in Nigeria (here I stand corrected) stood as a successful pilot project and a trail-blazer.

Today, Ahiara diocese stands as a beautiful bride whose hand is sought by many suitors. Because of this, we today in Ahiara Mbaise are once more faced with the biblical struggle of David and Goliath. In our folkloric version of this epic battle, the BIG animals are now claiming ownership of the beautiful house which the SMALL animals built.

 “ỌCHIRI ỌZỤỌ”

Msgr. Donald Okoro was given the title “Ọchiri Ọzụọ” for good reason. Throughout his priestly ministry, he put himself and his convenience last, but devoted his talents, treasures into ensuring that people are lifted from poverty and helplessness through sponsoring their formal education and skills acquisition. So many of those from Imo State and beyond who benefited from this programme are present in this cathedral to pay their last respect to their mentor and benefactor.

OBJECT LESSONS

The remains of Msgr. Donald Okoro who fought like a good soldier of Christ to the very end, forcefully remind us all that the battle still rages. He has run his leg of the race and has handed the BATON over to us, urging us to press ahead to the end.

Today, the battle rages on in our society and families through liberalism, exaggerated Human Rights and freedom which give rise to perversions of all types. Today, Pentecostalism, Secularism, Neo-paganism and corruption are like so many Goliaths assaulting the Good News of Salvation. In the face of all these serious threats, do you sit back and enjoy the momentary comfort of your situation? Do you have the mentality of someone who said that his preference for the second mass on Sundays was because those who attend the first mass must have wiped the dust from the pews?

Do you behave like the proverbial spoon that shows up only when the meal is ready?

Today, as we bid him farewell, Msgr. Don Okoro reminds us to

•  BE VIGILANT. The enemies of the gospel are unrelenting and deploying their heavy weapons against us.
•  STIR UP the gift which the Lord has given us for the spread of the gospel. This gift of God is not that of timidity but of courage and power (cf. 2 Tim. 1:6-7)

 A PLEA FROM THE VANISHING BREED: THE ENDANGERED SPECIES

This plea is from those of us priests who were trained, ordained, by the missionaries; who worked with them and took over the baton from them to continue the work of the faith. On this occasion of the burial of one of us, we plead s follow:

•  The catholic faith came at great price, was established at great cost and is the most precious possession we have, must be guarded jealously.
• Do not joke with it
• Do not destroy or betray it
• Do your utmost (like our predecessors in the faith) to ensure it is transmitted faithfully to future generations.

FAREWELL

Today, as we lay the remains of Msgr. Donald Okoro to the grave, he can, like St. Paul say: I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me by the Lord, the righteous judge (cf 2 Tim. 4:7-8)

 May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Theo Nwalo

October 10, 2013.

Tribute to our Fallen Patriarch Monsignor Donald Sonde Okoro

By the Okoro Family of Obohia Mbaise, Nigeria (10/10/2013)

Fellow Christians! Today, the bell tolls for Monsignor Donald Sonde Okoro, who slept in the Lord on the 20^th of September 2013. He died at the age of 74.Three weeks ago Monsignor Donald Sonde Okoro was alive talking to people. But today, he is lifeless, now with the dreaded title: RIP (Rest in Peace). Three weeks ago, Monsignor was in the present tense. However, today, he is in the past tense, now referred to as “the late Monsignor Okoro.” Hence, this reminds the living of that somber song: Mmadu di ndu n’ututu, buru ozu n’anyasi. As the famous American singer Jim Reeves meditatively put it: “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” Today, Monsignor Okoro reminds all of us that we are passers-by in this world. Monsignor is survived by two brothers, Mr. Ambrose Okoro and Nze Cornelius Okoro, cousins, nephews, nieces and extended relatives.

On a short biographical note, Monsignor was born on December 12, 1938 by Stephen Okoroafor and Lucy Uyoehi Okoroafor from Amaiyi Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise. At a very early age Monsignor Okoro showed a great aptitude for learning. This led him to begin his primary education at St Bede’s Primary school in Obohia. At a very early stage, he dreamed of being a priest. With the support and encouragement of his family he eventually entered the seminary. Finally, he was ordained in 1966 before the outbreak of the Nigeria-Biafra war, together with the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Victor Chikwe. His priestly ordination offered him a sacred platform to serve humanity. Hence, he served as a parish priest in many parishes in the Owerri Archdiocese and Ahiara diocese, namely, Obibiezena, St Charles Nguru, St Paul’s Owerri, St Brigid’s Ahiara, St Charles Enyiogugu. Mpam, Ihitte-afoukwu, Ezi West parish, Aboh, Ogbe Ahiara and finally St Patrick Umuokirika, his last parish. 

On a more personal note, today, we gather in this Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara Mbaise, Nigeria, to pay our last respect to the Patriarch of the Okoro Family. For you the priests and religious gathered here today, he was one of you. For his former parishioners, he was their parish priest. But for us from the Okoro family he was our patriarch, brother, big uncle and son. You can see that our level of grief is more than yours because evuru ozu nne onye ozo n’isi o di ka evu osisi. Hence, today, we mourn, we weep, we shed tears, and we sigh because our great patriarch has gone forever. An important voice is extinct. The saddest thing for us is that he is irreplaceable like the patriarchs of the Old Testament. Sadly, his departure has created a big vacuum in our family tent. And now the curtain falls.

As the patriarch of the Okoro family, Monsignor he was a strong father-figure. He had the last binding word in the family. Hence, when Don spoke, it was a case file closed. Hence, he served as the final court of the Okoro family in family matters. He was there for every one of us. Through him God accomplished a lot in us. This explains why, during his sickness, the family rallied round him with generous financial contributions to help provide him with a social safety net and pay his medical bills in conjunction with Ahiara Diocese.

He was not only the patriarch of the Okoro family, he was also the patriarch of Obohia community. Today, it will be fair to say that the father of Obohia is dead. Oke osisi has fallen. Here lies our great hero. The chain that binds Obohia together is broken. No wonder there is tears all over Obohia. The next Eyiri eyi Obohia will not be the same without Monsignor.

At the diocesan level, the entire priests of Ahiara diocese has consistently called him: Ochiagha 1 of Mbaise. This is a fair characterization of Monsignor. He was a fearless warrior and a defender of justice. He joined the Biafran war because of injustice against ndi Igbo. And until his death he was also a leader of the current struggle in Mbaise against Episcopal injustice. He has been firm and courageous despite his ailing health. The inherent injustice against Mbaise is so great that he was ready to die fighting for justice in Mbaise. He believed the dictum that emee nwa ka emere ibe ya, obi adi yam ma. As we can see, Monsignor has died in active service to the “fatherland” Mbaise. Our Ochiagha has departed. We miss him dearly at this critical juncture in our struggle.

Monsignor Donald Okoro was also the patriarch of the poor and the needy. Testimonies upon testimonies abound in this respect. He was guided by the biblical principle of “I was hungry and you gave me to eat.” He believed that a gospel without a human touch is not a true gospel. Hence, he touched the lives of so many people who came his way. He helped the poor, and encouraged the struggling to rise up. He was father to the fatherless. This was what prompted Eze Leo Anyanwu Obo 1 of Obohia to confer him with the chieftaincy title of “Ochiri-Ozuo” 1 of Mbaise in 1991 during his silver Jubilee celebration.

Monsignor Donald Okoro is highly respected and admired for three reasons. First of all, he was always happy. Secondly, he treated people as if they were the most special persons in his life. And thirdly, he comported himself with dignity and self respect. Be it as it may, Uncle Don is no longer on stage. To those he might have offended while on stage, you owe him forgiveness, to those who benefitted from him, glorify God for his life, and for all of us gathered here today, let us join hands in prayers and commit his soul to eternal rest.

I believe that a good God judges us all. If this is so, and our Christian faith affirms that it is, then my uncle has an express passport to heaven. He did everything God asks us to do. He fulfilled every responsibility. It sounds so simple but, to paraphrase someone I read once, if the world were full of Monsignor Donald Okoros there would be no injustice, no hungry/uneducated child, neighbor would help neighbor, Uncles would be role models to their nieces and nephews. Like Saint Paul, he can correctly say:

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2Timothy 4;6-8).

Indeed, Monsignor Donald Okoro was a good priest, who led a good life, and died a good death. So let us celebrate his death, and not mourn it.  

To the Ahiara Diocese we remain grateful for the cooperation we got. Additionally, the Okoro family has received many consoling emails, phone calls and cards from friends and well-wishers for which we are equally profoundly grateful. They have been a great comfort to us. Indeed, to all of and sundry we remain very grateful. May the soul of Monsignor Okoro and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace! Amen!

Emeka Okoro

(For the Okoro family of Obohia)               

 ADIEU  MONSIGNOR   DONALD    SONDE   OKORO

         (A PRIEST FOREVER AND AN EVERLASTING COMMUNITY STAR  )

Leader from birth, Dons!

Directing elders, age -mates and juniors,

In all matters of weekly competitions.

Which perhaps prefigured your captain's role,

In the coming Biafran Army of tomorrow.

Stubbornly, you took me by hand yearly,

To register me in Obohia St. Bedes school yearly.

After I failed the admission test

Of touching my left ear,

Across my head with my right finger.

You became the most priced jewel,

Being the first son of Obohia in priestly rank,

Who celebrated sacramental wedding duels

For all lay colleagues of yours in other shells.

After opening the flood gate of requests

With my own wedding as first.

When I completed Eyirieyi Obohia revival research,

Then commissioned in 1974 by O,D,F,,

You embarked on grass root campaign

To enlighten all people concerned ,

That a non christian festival by origin,

Can as well be christianized boldly.

Little did we know

That your overseas education in cultural studies

Equipped you with additional knowledge

About the tourist and economic potentials

Of Eyirieyi Obohia premier festivals.

It's no wonder you strongly supported in 2012,

The Owerri Summit from your hospital bed in India.

Which resulted in the birth of Obohia Development Association-ODA,

Which unexpectedly you embraced with loyal leadership

 And now at your exit shall become a catalyst

For unrivalled tempo of development,progress and peace.

 In your fatherland, Obohia

Like the death of a figurative seed.which

Unfailingly, results in the germination and growth of the plant.

Adieu adaon, we do not mourn you.

Rather we do celebrate you.

Your departure is unavoidable but temporary

As we shall meet soon to part no more.

                  Amam  A  Acholonu

                 Coordinator- O.D.A  Sept, 2013.