…Bishop Ezeokafor to Seminarians and Formators of Tansi Seminary
By Fr Constantine Echichechi Okoli
Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, a Theological Seminary owned by the Bishops of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, held her 2025/2026 Inauguration of the Academic and Formation on Monday, 23rd October, 2025, with the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, as the inaugurating Prelate.
Bishop Ezeokafor who was a formator for many years in the Minor Seminaries of the then Awka Diocese – St. Dominic Savio Seminary, Akpu and St. Johnbosco Seminary, Isuaniocha – spoke on diverse issues hinging on the formation of Seminarians and the complex world that awaited the seminarians after their formation.
The event started with a concelebrated Mass with the Bishop as the Principal celebrant. Delivering his homily at the Mass, the Bishop echoed the words of the Council Fathers in Optatam Totius, the Vatican II Decree on Priestly Training, that seminarians who are preparing for the priestly ministry must realize that the hope of the Church and the salvation of souls are being committed to them; and therefore, the need to take their formation serious.
‘The Church,’ said the Bishop, ‘wants her seminarians to be formed in all the four aspects of formation, namely: spiritual, pastoral, academic and human. A seminarian who is not formed in all of these aspects will not be a good priestly candidate for the 21st Century.’
Historically, Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha which was started as a Regional Seminary on 15 November 2000, with 91 Theology students who came from different Dioceses in Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, is known for its interest in integral formation of her seminarians.
Recounting the History of its early beginning and the dreams of the founding fathers, especially, the late Archbishop Albert Kanene Obiefuna, the then Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Onitsha, Bishop Ezeokafor called on the seminarians to fly on the two wings of human development; formation of character and acquisition of learning.
‘As you we are inaugurating this academic and formation year, we hope that you will be founded worthy in character and learning when you will be graduating,’ said the bishop. While emphasizing the importance of formation, he averred that character formation was an important aspect of human development.
‘Without training in character, learning, in the real sense of the word, has not taken place,’ the bishop explained, while charging the seminarians to see that they committed as much energy and passion which ordinarily they should commit to their academic work, to building their moral life.
‘What you become today depends on the formation you receive today,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
On the same note, the Bishop, recognizing the difficult task of training seminarians, thanked the formators of Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, led by the humble Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fabian Obi, a historian of no mean magnitude.
Recalling his own experience in the seminary as a Rector, the Bishop noted: ‘From my own personal experience, the work of formation of seminarians is not an easy one.’
Nevertheless, according to Bishop Ezeokafor, there was also a certain fulfilment that accompanied the work of a teacher and formator.
‘There is always joy in finding these seminarians, whether as priests or lay faithful, doing well in their different areas of apostolate,’ he said, while calling on the formators to teach more by their lifestyles.
‘As formators and teachers, what we do is so loud that people do not see what we say,’ emphasized the Bishop.
Apart from the Mass, the event also featured presentation of awards to seminarians who distinguished themselves in character and learning in the previous academic and formation year. Such awards serve to strengthen and encourage those who are excelling, to keep the flag flying and to jerk up those who are not measuring up.
According to the Rector of the Seminary, Fr, Fabian Obi, inauguration in the seminary denotes that the seminary has officially began its formation year; he thanked the bishop for gracing the occasion with his presence and inspiring words of admonition and encouragement. The event left many seminarians and formators with excitement and renewed spirit of service.
