A former Catholic priest, Dr. Echezona Obiagbaosogu, with 17 years of dedicated service in the church, has made headlines by announcing his resignation from the priesthood to fully embrace African traditional religion and spirituality. This surprising revelation highlights a profound shift in his life’s journey and spiritual beliefs.
Dr. Obiagbaosogu, now a distinguished lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, disclosed his transition on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. This announcement coincided with a significant academic milestone as he successfully defended his PhD dissertation titled “Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine.” This research reflects his deep interest in the cultural and spiritual practices of the Igbo people and their relevance in today’s world.
Dr. Obiagbaosogu shared that his decision to embrace African traditional religion was driven by a lifelong fascination with African spirituality, particularly the practice of rainmaking. He emphasized the need to rediscover and celebrate the richness of African heritage, which, he noted, has often been overshadowed by colonial influences. This realization inspired him to dedicate himself to reviving and preserving these traditions for future generations.
As part of his transformative journey, Dr. Obiagbaosogu underwent months of rigorous training under a renowned native doctor, immersing himself in the intricate art of traditional medicine. His academic and personal pursuits aim to bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom of African spirituality and contemporary understanding. He sees this as a way to honor the legacy of his ancestors while offering valuable insights to modern society.
When asked about his resignation from the Catholic priesthood, Dr. Obiagbaosogu responded thoughtfully, saying, “Life is a process. Things happen, and people begin to look left and right. One important thing is for the person to know themselves. If you understand yourself and remain open to reality, you will begin to make decisions for your life.”
Former Catholic priest on his transition to traditional religion
Dr. Obiagbaosogu elaborated on his journey, stating, “I have come to realise that my true calling is to serve my people through the ancient traditions of our ancestors. I was a Catholic priest for 17 years before resigning to embrace the traditional African religion. The topic of my research is ‘Rainmaking and control in Igbo African medicine: A case study of Isieke in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.’”
He reflected on his upbringing, revealing that his family background significantly influenced his current path. “I partly lived with my maternal grandfather, who was a traditionalist, while my father was a Christian before he passed away. Though he was a Christian, he still believed in traditional materials. He was an agriculturist with trees around the compound and always brought in new ones, some of which he said were medicinal. So, I learned from him to appreciate nature.”
Dr. Obiagbaosogu began exploring African spirituality even during his time as a priest, explaining, “I began this research as a priest five years ago and then left the priesthood. Now, I am married and have fully embraced this path. Everything about this research stems from my curiosity about nature and God. The research reflects my curiosity about spirituality and the nature of God. As a priest, I had the opportunity to work in health sectors, and I understand what health is all about.”
His passion for reviving African values was further fueled by a personal encounter during his seminary days. “There was one of my father’s friends, and when I was in the seminary, I founded a school called the Society for African Culture. During that period, we invited my father’s friend to demonstrate that rainmaking was possible. He came and made it rain. This experience led me to investigate it in an academic way.”
Discussing his research, Dr. Obiagbaosogu shared, “My research in rainmaking and control is rooted in finding the truth and understanding how native doctors contribute to preserving African values. I discovered that it is indeed a reality and done by dibia (native doctors). I am not turning my back on God, but rather, I am embracing the divine in a more meaningful and authentic way.”
Dr. Obiagbaosogu also reflected on the intersection of magic, religion, and science, stating, “Civilisation began with magic, moved to religion, and today we are talking about nanoscience and other fields. The white man was able to explore these magical laws, codify them, and call them science. So, science is essentially what was once magic. We can also access these magical laws, which we call African magic or religion. It is not the African magic of Nollywood. The African magic of Nollywood is one of the tools used to destroy our culture and values. African magic is actually African science, which remains unexplored. We must begin to modify, codify, and document it for posterity.”
