By OKORO CHINEDUM BENEDICT, MA

“Men at some times are masters of their fates:

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” — Julius Caesar

Introduction

Rev. Fr. Dr. John Okwoeze Odey is a distinguished Catholic priest, theologian, author, and social crusader whose life and works embody humility, integrity, and the fearless pursuit of truth. Through his ministry, scholarship, and personal example, he has become a moral compass and prophetic voice within and beyond the Church in Nigeria.

Early Life and Education

Born in Ngbo, in the present Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, to parents who were neither Christians nor beneficiaries of Western education, young John’s journey began from modest circumstances.

He attended Sacred Heart School, Otinyi Ngbo, completing his primary education in 1964. Initially trained as a tailor under the tutelage of Mr. Mathias Agbo, his early insistence on attending church services every Sunday reflected a spiritual yearning that would later define his vocation.

Influenced by Irish missionaries and the biographies of saints, he embraced Christianity fully and, upon baptism, chose the name John — inspired by the unwavering courage of John the Baptist.

Formation and Priesthood

He was admitted to St. Augustine’s Minor Seminary, Ezzangbo (1972–1976), and later to St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos (1977–1984), where he obtained degrees in philosophy and theology.

He was ordained a Catholic priest on July 7, 1984, and began his pastoral career at Sacred Heart Parish, Onueke Ezza, where he served for three years. During this period, his concern over certain traditional practices led to his first publication, Ritual Circumcision in Ezza and the Christian Faith.

In June 1987, he was appointed Cathedral Administrator of St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Abakaliki, and in June 1990, he proceeded to Rome, where he earned both his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Moral Theology within an exceptional timeframe.

Academic and Theological Contributions

Fr. Odey’s exposure in Rome and the United States broadened his intellectual horizons. His discovery and engagement with Liberation Theology reshaped his understanding of faith as a tool for social transformation.

He became an advocate for the Social Mission of the Gospel, the Preferential Option for the Poor, and the moral imperatives of justice and equity. His academic grounding and pastoral passion merged into a lifelong commitment to addressing poverty, social inequality, and injustice.

Upon his return to Nigeria, he was posted to St. Patrick’s Parish, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, where he etched his name in the annals of history. His homilies, inspired by the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, attracted worshippers from across the metropolis. His message was consistent and clear: social injustice undermines the moral foundation of society and must be resisted by all people of conscience.

Influence and Publications

Fr. Odey’s intellectual and spiritual formation was influenced by notable thinkers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Albert Camus, Martin Niemöller, Óscar Romero, Walter Rauschenbusch, Martin Luther King Jnr, Mahatma Ghandi, Frantz Fanon and Gani Fawehinmi — figures whose lives demonstrated the moral courage to confront injustice.

In the same tradition, Fr. Odey emerged as a fearless voice against oppression, governmental misconduct, and institutional complacency. His writings, numbering over fifty (50), cover theology, ethics, politics, governance, and moral philosophy.

Liberation Theology and the Social Mission of the Church

Beyond his academic pursuit in Moral Theology, Fr. Dr. John Okwoeze Odey delved deeply into Liberation Theology, a movement that redefined his worldview and expanded his understanding of the Gospel’s social mission.

His passion for the poor, the downtrodden, and the voiceless grew exponentially. He discovered within the Catholic doctrine not only the promise of salvation but also a moral imperative — a sacred call to confront injustice and restore human dignity.

In this regard, he lived out the timeless insight of Archbishop Óscar A. Romero, who declared:

“The mission of the Church is to identify itself with the poor; by so doing, the Church discovers its own salvation.”

Guided by this conviction, Fr. Odey saw the Gospel as both a spiritual truth and a social manifesto — one that demands courage in the face of tyranny, compassion amidst suffering, and unyielding advocacy for justice.

He understood, as few do, that to preach Christ is to stand where the oppressed stand, and to defend their cause even at personal cost.

Among his notable works are:

Ritual Circumcision in Ezza and the Christian Faith
The Legacy of Chief Gani Fawehinmi: The Dogged Senior Advocate of the Masses
Sharia and the Rest of Us
Nigeria, Search for Peace and Social Justice: The Relevance of the Philosophical and Theological Foundations of the Nonviolent Resistance of Martin Luther King, Junior.
Colonel Abubakar Umar: The Trumpet of Justice
The Days of the Jackals
Active Nonviolent Resistance: The Moral & Political Power of the Oppressed
Living in the Shadows of Death – Nigeria’s Descent into Ethnic Conquest: A Documentary
Africa: The Agony of a Continent – Can Liberation Theology Offer Any Solution?
My Life and Commitment (autobiography)

Through these works, he has championed moral responsibility, civic consciousness, and the Church’s prophetic role in social reconstruction.

Moral Leadership, Legacy, and the Philosophy of “Odeism”

At St. Patrick’s Parish, Fr. Odey became not only a priest but a movement. Without intending to, his impact inspired what many fondly came to call Odeism — a philosophy rooted in social justice and moral courage.

Odeism teaches that no man is an island, and that no individual, however powerful, can ride roughshod over others without consequence. It affirms that every oppressor collaborates with some of the oppressed to sustain his power — a tragic paradox of human society.

His life and teachings inspired numerous scholars and professionals. Notably, I dedicated my thesis, ‘Sacred Violence and Its Impact on National Security’ (University of Benin, 2004), to Fr. Odey, describing him as “a perfect understanding of what a Catholic priest should be.” Similarly, Dr. Benjamin Obasi Igwenyi dedicated his doctoral dissertation, ‘The Crime of Corruption in Nigeria’ (2010), to both Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Fr. Odey, in recognition of their shared commitment to moral renewal and good governance.

This principle mirrors the timeless truth captured by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in The Social Contract (1762):

“Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”

For Fr. Odey, these chains were not merely political or economic; they were moral and spiritual. His life’s work sought to shatter those chains — through truth, faith, and fearless witness — so that humanity might rediscover its God-given freedom and dignity.

Administrative Acumen and Community Service

Beyond his theological and intellectual accomplishments, Fr. Odey is known for his frugality, transparency, and prudent management of resources. His administrative leadership led to significant infrastructural and educational developments at:

St. Patrick’s Parish, Kpirikpiri
Annunciation Primary and Secondary Schools, Kpirikpiri
Holy Trinity Parish and College, Umuogudu Akpu, Ngbo

In September 2009, he assumed his current pastoral and educational responsibilities at Holy Trinity Parish and Holy Trinity College, Ngbo, where he continues to serve with dedication and distinction.

Conclusion

Rev. Fr. Dr. John Okwoeze Odey stands today as a beacon of moral courage, intellectual depth, and prophetic conviction. His life and ministry embody the rare fusion of faith and reason, devotion and duty, scholarship and service.

Like Rauschenbusch, Bonhoeffer, and Romero, he teaches that religion loses its meaning when it ceases to challenge injustice or comfort the afflicted. His voice reminds us that Christianity must remain both a personal encounter with God and a public commitment to justice.

Through his writings, priesthood, and activism, he has inspired generations to embrace truth, pursue justice, and uphold the dignity of every human person.

In recognition of his enduring contributions to theology, education, and the promotion of social justice, the Church and society at large celebrate him as a beacon of conscience, a champion of truth, and a faithful servant of God and humanity.

‘For the Gospel to have full edge over every other edge, it must embody the highest expression of truth and morality.’ – adapted from the social philosophy of Walter Rauschenbusch.

This timeless truth captures the essence of Fr. Odey’s priesthood and mission. His enduring legacy calls on every believer to defend truth, uphold justice, and bear witness to the power of the Gospel in transforming both the human heart and the human society.

As we celebrate Fr. Dr. John Okwoeze Odey, we are reminded of the timeless challenge posed by Frantz Fanon:

‘Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it.’

Fr. Odey discovered his mission — to stand for truth, to defend the poor, and to bear witness to justice — and he has fulfilled it with uncommon courage. The task before us, therefore, is to carry forward that mission: to speak truth in love, to act justly, and to ensure that the Gospel remains a living force in our nation’s conscience.

May his life continue to remind us that truth is sacred, justice is divine, and that faith, when lived courageously, transforms the world.

•Being Formal Citation in Honour of Rev. Fr. Dr. John Okwoeze Odey, by Okoro Chinedum Benedict, MA (Intelligence & Security Studies, Manchester, United Kingdom), at the Book Launch of ‘Living in the Shadows of Death: Nigeria’s Descent into Ethnic Conquest – A Documentary’ at Women Development Center (WDC), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on October 4, 2025

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