Nigerian Bishop Lucius Ugorji celebrated Mass for Diocese of Little Rock staff at St. John Center in Little Rock June 18. The bishop came to Arkansas to visit the four priests from his diocese who serve in the state.
One of these priests is Father Udochukwu “Udo” Vincent Ogbuji, who had a serious car wreck in January. He sustained major damage to his neck and spinal cord that caused paralysis to his arms and legs.
“I express my gratitude to the Diocese of Little Rock for how well it has taken care of him,” the bishop said during his homily.
The Diocese of Umuahia bishop said he was very upset and worried when he heard about the accident, “but was very much relieved at how the diocese helped to make sure he had the best of treatment.”
In March, Father Ogbuji moved into a home at Christ the King Parish that was renovated by parishioners to be wheelchair accessible. Since then he has continued to do physical therapy and celebrate Mass for the parish as the associate pastor.
The three other priests from the Umuahia diocese were present for the June 18 Mass. They include Father Christopher Okeke, associate pastor of St. John and St. Mary churches in Hot Springs; Father John Agbakwuo, administrator of St. James Church in Searcy, St. Richard Church in Bald Knob and St. Albert Church in Heber Springs; and Father Charles Kanu, associate pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Mountain Home and St. Mary Church in Mountain View.
During the Mass, Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, diocesan administrator, announced that Bishop Ugorji would be sending three more priests from his diocese to serve Arkansas parishes.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to share our priests with you,” Bishop Ugorji said during the homily. “They find a second home with you.”
After the Mass, the bishop told Arkansas Catholic that he hoped the priests would arrive by the middle of July.
This was his third trip to Arkansas since 1993. He was in the state from June 18-21.
Father Agbakwuo hosted the bishop as well as Fathers Okeke and Kanu at the parish in Searcy.
During the four-day visit, the priests took the bishop to see Father Ogbuji. They also toured renovations at St. John Church in Hot Springs and did some sightseeing before the bishop left.
“It was good of him to come visit us,” Father Agbakwuo said in a telephone interview June 25. “We had a nice opportunity to chat with him.”