A Catholic Priest, Dr. Echezona Augustine Obiagbaosogu, who served for 17 years, has caused a stir within both his local congregation and the broader Catholic Church following his resignation to take up a new vocation as a native doctor specializing in rain-making.
Newsonspot reports that his departure from the priesthood marks a dramatic shift in his personal and spiritual journey, one that sees him embrace a deep connection to African Traditional Religion (ATR).
Obiagbaosoogu, a teacher of African Traditional Religion (ATR) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State had allegedly spent several months studying under a renowned native doctor and also learning intricacies of the craft.
The Catholic priest who has served the Catholic Church for 17 years said, “I am not turning my back on God, but rather, I am embracing the divine in a more meaningful and authentic way.”
“I have come to realize that my true calling is to serve my people through the ancient traditions of our ancestors.”
Baring his mind on the relationship between magic, religion, and science, the priest said noted,
“Civilizations 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.”
He further explained why he abandoned priesthood to join tradition, 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.”
He however declined to discuss the specifics of his resignation, but rather said it was a matter of personal conviction.
Dr. Obiagbaosogu’s departure from the Catholic Church has sparked mixed reactions. Some express support for his decision to explore a spiritual path that is closely tied to his roots, while others view it as a betrayal of his religious vows.
Regardless of public opinion, Obiagbaosogu appears resolute in his new calling, which he believes will allow him to better serve his community and honour the spiritual traditions of his ancestors.
