Father Udochukwu
Father Udochukwu “Udo” Vincent Ogbuji, pastor of St. James Church in Searcy and its missions in Heber Springs and Bald Knob, was seriously injured in a car accident Sunday, Jan. 7 near Highway 36 in Searcy. He was returning to Searcy after visiting with parishioners near Heber Springs.
As of Jan. 16, he remained hospitalized at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock for injuries sustained in the accident.
Deacon Robert Morris, who lives in Heber Springs, had the opportunity to see Father Ogbuji after the accident. He was later taken by helicopter to Little Rock.
“He said he loved me and I said I loved him and I blessed him,” he said. “He’s that kind of priest. If you put it in three words, he is peace, love and joy.”
Parishioners in Searcy and Heber Springs have been coming together to pray the rosary each day, Morris said.
“The kids at St. Albert’s (Jan. 10) put together several posters and cards that I will take to him,” he said.
The 38-year-old native of Nigeria was ordained in 1997 in the Diocese of Umuahia. He came to Arkansas in November 1999 to serve as associate pastor of St. Edward Church in Texarkana and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mission in Ashdown. In 2002 he was named pastor in Searcy as well as St. Albert Church in Heber Springs and St. Richard Church in Bald Knob. In 2003 he reached out to the Hispanic Catholics in Searcy and even celebrated Mass and baptisms with the assistance of Hispanic college students when a Spanish-speaking priest was not available.
In 2005 he was a big promoter of the Year of the Eucharist and hosted several large events in his parishes to educate parishioners about the sacrament’s importance.
In the November, he oversaw the groundbreaking of new churches for the Searcy and Heber Springs parishes. “He’s a good fundraiser,” Morris said. “We have appreciated the leadership he has given.”
A letter from Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, diocesan administrator, was read to Father Ogbuji’s parishioners during Masses Jan. 13-14.
“As a celibate priest, Father Udo made you his family,” the letter said. “He has loved you and served you well. He now needs your prayers.”
