Moved and Moving Faith

It is a wonderful feeling to be warmly welcomed in a foreign country like Nigeria. “It truly touches me when people drum and sing to greet us,” admits Vice Provincial Father Michael Pfenning. Nigeria is part of the German-Austrian Province, along with Croatia, Spain, South Africa, and Malawi. The Provincial leadership is currently on a multi-day visitation in Nigeria. “Even at 6 a.m. during Mass, people move in the church and sing. Music is a constant theme throughout our visit,” the Vice Provincial enthusiastically reports.

“Faith is vibrant and moving here. We as the Provincial leadership are experiencing firsthand what intercultural exchange means. We Pallottines have now made it our mission to promote this exchange, both at our university, the Vinzenz Pallotti University, and at the Provincial headquarters in Friedberg, where brothers from Africa and India already live and study,” explains Father Pfenning.

“We experienced Nigerian culture when we had the special honor of meeting a traditional king and the governor’s representative. He affirmed our projects and sealed them with a traditional shared meal of the bitter kola nut. The projects include building a youth center, a formation house, and a center for the growing Pallottine community. It was particularly moving for me that at the end of the audience, the governor’s representative knelt down and asked the priests for a blessing through the laying on of hands,” explains Father Michael Pfenning.

Through an initiative by the Unio and Monsignor Father Dr. Martin Chukwubunna Ezeokoli (1949-2021), a Pallotti youth group was established in January 2007. This led to the emergence of the first Pallottines, driven by the efforts of Father Peter Hillen (1952-2020). Initially, Nigeria was part of the Cameroon Region. Following an initiative by the General Council, the Provincial Assembly decided in 2017 to take responsibility for this unit and incorporate it into the Province.

On September 1, 2019, the Delegature was officially established, with its seat in Mbaukwu, Anambra State. The responsible delegate is Father Cosmas Chidiebele Onwukwe. Approximately 25 brothers and postulants live and work in Mbaukwu, while another 25 brothers and novices reside in the formation house in Owerri North L.G.A. Additionally, many young brothers are studying abroad, with most in Nairobi, Kenya.

As of 2022, the development in this African country requires special attention from the Provincial leadership. Provincial Father Helmut Scharler and Mission Secretary Father Markus Hau are actively involved in building up the young community. Plans are underway to establish a large Pallottine and youth center in Mbaukwu. Furthermore, the current capacity of the formation houses is insufficient and needs to be expanded, as there is significant interest among young men in living within the community.