21st November, 2025
Msgr. Obiora Francis Ike is a delegate and member of the November 2025 Fourth Synod Preparatory Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
Membership extends to a specific representative number of clergy, religious, and lay faithful appointed by the Diocesan Bishop as delegates. The theme of the Synod is “Faith and Practice in Enugu Diocese: Challenges and Opportunities.”
Several notable and leading Church and civil authorities have addressed the Synod on a variety of topics related to the topic. These include Peter Cardinal Okpaleke; John Cardinal Onayiekan; Peter Cardinal Tuukson from the Vatican; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja and Emeritus Archbishop of Owerri, Dr Anthony Obinna. Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Dr Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, and Mr Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and leading presidential candidate at the 2023 national elections in Nigeria, addressed the Synod.
Most Rev Francis Michael concludes the Synod event with a Pontifical Holy Mass on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Msgr. Obiora Ike, who was Chairman of the Third Synod Preparatory Committee held in 2013, as well as the chairman of the Second Synod Committee held in 2001, delivered a paper addressing issues of reinvigorating pro-poor social welfare and development schemes towards the self-reliance of the local Church, alongside Auxiliary Bishop Dr Ernest Obodo.
These many dialogues and contributions nurture the faithful as the Church plans for the future of Evangelisation, which are central features of the deliberations, in service to ethical and spiritual leadership, integral education, youth formation, pastoral development, and gospel values to progress humanity in Nigeria.
Chairman of the 2025 Synod Preparatory Committee, Rev Father Dr Christian Anieke, and the diocesan Bishop, Most Rev CVC Onaga, both emphasise that the Synod remains a key moment for renewal, deeper participation of all, and an opportunity towards strengthening Christian witness in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
