By Fr. OKHUELEIGBE OSEMHANTIE À

The Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) on Monday, April 7, inaugurated the 34th edition of its prestigious Theology Week with a solemn opening Mass, drawing an impressive assembly of over 70 priests and eminent Church dignitaries. The event, held at CIWA Chapel, was graced by the presence of the Bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Most Rev. Camillus Umoh, who presided at the liturgy, flanked by Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke, and Auxiliary Bishop of Calabar, Most Rev. Christopher Naseri.

In a liturgical gathering marked by solemnity and splendour, the Rector of CIWA, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Jude Abidemi Asanbe, welcomed the prelates and all participants with heartfelt enthusiasm. His address, laden with gratitude and vision, reaffirmed CIWA’s steadfast commitment to theological scholarship, ecclesial service, and intellectual engagement with contemporary realities.

Delivering a homily rich in theological depth and cultural insight, Bishop Umoh commended CIWA for its consistency in organizing the Theology Week – now in its 34th iteration – and for selecting a theme of profound relevance. He warned against a theology devoid of reflection, describing it as vulnerable to manipulation and appropriation by individuals or ideologies that distort its essence.

“Any theology not deeply thought through becomes everything to everyone – even to those who seek to bend it to serve their own narratives,” the Bishop declared.

Reflecting on the poignant story of Susanna from the Book of Daniel, he challenged the faithful to resist the tyranny of mob judgment and the oversimplification of complex truths. “Beware the danger of a single story,” he said, urging Christians to listen to the full narrative before forming conclusions.

In a striking contemporary application, Bishop Umoh praised CIWA lecturers for their fidelity to the institute’s mission, boldly describing their intellectual labour as “the evangelization of Artificial Intelligence.” He noted that AI loses its dignity and direction if it fails to uphold and promote the intelligence and integrity of the human person.

The ceremony also featured the official opening of the conference by members of CIWA’s Governing Council and a host of dignitaries from academia, Church, and society. According to our reporter Promise Okon, “with robust participation and a forward-looking theme, the 2025 Theology Week is poised to be one of the most consequential in CIWA’s rich history".