By Augustine Ossie Okafor
In every age and culture, the priesthood of the Catholic Church remains a sacred and mysterious office, deeply rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, who is not only the founder of the Church but the Church itself. To encounter a Catholic priest is to encounter Christ in a profound and sacramental way; he is ‘Alter Christus’, another Christ, chosen not by merit but by grace, to serve, to shepherd, and to sanctify.
The Catholic priest is not merely a religious leader or ceremonial figure. He is a bridge between heaven and earth, vested with the divine authority to consecrate the Eucharist, absolve sins, anoint the sick, and preach eternal truth.
The dignity of his office is not in personal perfection, but in his ontological transformation; he is configured to Christ at the core of his being. This makes the respect due to a priest not merely human courtesy, but a spiritual obligation, for in him, the faithful see the visible sign of Christ’s invisible presence.
My personal journey toward the priesthood, though now redirected, gave me a privileged insight into this sacred office. I spent several months of priestly probation at St. Anthony Parish, Okpo, Ekwulobia, under the spiritual direction of Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine Oraka, a man whose life and ministry embodied the very soul of priestly calling. Fr. Oraka, now of blessed memory, was everything a priest of God should be.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine Iloabuchi Oraka, fondly known as “Orenge,” was born on August 16, 1949, in Adagbe Orofia Village, Abagana, Anambra State. He was ordained a priest on December 17, 1979, by Bishop Albert K. Obiefuna. He served in many parishes across the Awka Diocese, touching lives and nurturing souls with his unique combination of discipline, humour, and deep pastoral care.
Fr. Oraka’s Ministry was marked by a fervent commitment to truth and an unwavering dedication to his parishioners. He was known for his intense emotions and profound humanity. He had a fiery temper that could erupt when confronted with falsehood or pride, yet what made him remarkable was his ability to seek forgiveness almost instantly.
Often moved to tears by his own actions, he exemplified a soul constantly being purified by divine love. Through him, I understood that forgiveness is not a weakness, but a priest’s strength, the very reflection of Christ crucified, who rebuked the temple traders yet forgave His executioners.
Fr. Oraka taught me the importance of forgiveness, prayer, and being faithful to one’s duties. He was often in the Chapel of Adoration, pouring his heart out to God in prayer. In that quiet space, I witnessed his deep devotion and unwavering commitment to staying close to God, seeking the strength and grace needed to fulfil his priestly responsibilities.
Fr. Oraka could not bear to hear of a death. He was, in every sense, a priest for life; a champion of hope, of healing, and of compassion. I still vividly recall the moment he hugged his ailing brother-priest, Fr. Eugene Iloghalu, whose leg condition deeply troubled him. His embrace, his whispered assurance that “God will take care of the situation,” and the tears he shed were born of the sacred brotherhood of the priesthood and the boundless love of a true servant of God.
Many knew him beyond the altar as “Orenge,” a nickname affectionately given to him for his exceptional football skills during his youth. He brought that same passion and energy into his pastoral work. He was remarkably human, kind, prayerful, deeply loving, and always available to the people he served.
Even during the most fragile moments of his health, he would respond promptly to sick calls. He never hesitated to bring the Sacraments to the ailing; praying with them, administering Holy Communion, and often weeping with heartfelt compassion.
After a prolonged illness lasting about 12 years, Fr. Oraka passed away on April 3, 2019, at the age of 70. His funeral, held on May 17, 2019, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, was attended by numerous clergy and faithful, a testament to the many lives he touched.
As April 2025 marks the Sixth Anniversary of his passing, we pause, not only to remember but to celebrate his life and the sacred office he bore. In honouring the memory of Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine Oraka, we are reminded of what the priesthood truly is, a life poured out like a libation for God’s people.
It is a calling that demands reverence from the faithful and commitment from the called. _No matter how familiar we become with our priests, we must never forget that they stand in persona Christi_ . _To mock, malign, or dismiss them is to dishonour Christ Himself._
In these times when the sacred is often trampled by secular scorn, and the priesthood ridiculed by misunderstanding, let the memory of men like Fr. Oraka remind us that the priesthood is not outdated, it is eternal, because Christ, the High Priest, lives forever.
May the soul of Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine Oraka continue to rest in the peace of the One he served so passionately. His memory blesses us, his life instructs us, and his priesthood inspires us.
Augustine Ossie Okafor, Legal Scholar and Advocate for Justice Reform, writes from Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
