There are moments in the life of the Church when celebration becomes an act of remembrance. A priest’s birthday reminds us that God chose a human life for a sacred purpose. A priestly anniversary reminds us that the same life has remained faithful to that purpose. When both celebrations fall on the same day, the occasion naturally invites reflection on a life that has been lived in service to God and to the people.
Very Rev. Fr. Felix Igbineweka belongs to the generation of priests whose lives are closely connected with the steady growth of the local Church in Benin. He was ordained during the time of the late Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, a period in which the archdiocese experienced strong pastoral development and the gradual strengthening of indigenous clergy. To be ordained in that period meant stepping into a ministry that required commitment, sacrifice, and quiet courage. Priests of that generation were not only pastors of existing parishes. Many of them also helped to strengthen the structures of the Church and sustain the faith of communities that depended greatly on the dedication of their priests.
His long service as Dean of Iguobazuwa Deanery remains one of the clearest signs of the confidence placed in him by the archdiocese. The office of a dean is not simply administrative. It requires maturity, patience, and the ability to guide both priests and parish communities with understanding. That he held this position for many years speaks clearly about his pastoral experience and the respect he earned among his fellow priests. Leadership in the Church is often quiet, but its impact is deep, especially when it is exercised with humility and steadiness.
He also belongs to the same generation of priests as the late Monsignor Festus Omede. Their priestly formation reflects a period in which discipline, devotion, and pastoral commitment were taken very seriously. Priests were trained not only to celebrate the sacraments but also to preach with clarity and serve the people with sincerity. The priestly life of Very Rev. Fr. Igbineweka reflects that same spirit of dedication and responsibility.
To describe him as a seasoned preacher is simply to recognise a priest who has remained faithful to the ministry of the Word. Preaching requires spiritual depth and a strong sense of responsibility. A priest who has preached for decades carries the experience of guiding people through different stages of life, moments of joy, moments of grief, and moments of uncertainty. Over the years, Very Rev. Fr. Igbineweka has carried out this ministry with consistency, strengthening the faith of many people through his preaching and pastoral work.
His present life as a retired priest resident at Holy Cross Cathedral in Benin City carries its own meaning. Retirement in the priesthood does not mean the end of service. It simply marks a quieter stage of the same vocation. A retired priest remains a witness to perseverance and a reminder that the priesthood is a lifelong commitment. By residing at the cathedral, the mother church of the archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Igbineweka continues to remain close to the heart of the Church he has served for many years.
Forty seven years of priestly ministry is a significant milestone. It represents years of Masses celebrated, confessions heard, sermons preached, and lives touched in ways that cannot always be measured. The work of a priest is often quiet, but its influence is lasting. Every faithful priest leaves behind a spiritual legacy that lives on in the people he has served. The priesthood of Very Rev. Fr. Igbineweka belongs to this tradition of steady and faithful service.
His birthday, celebrated alongside this anniversary, gives the celebration a deeper meaning. It reminds us that behind the priestly identity is a human life that has been shaped by commitment, sacrifice, and faith. To live long enough to celebrate forty seven years of priesthood is a blessing. To remain faithful throughout those years is an even greater grace. Such faithfulness deserves appreciation and gratitude.
This twofold celebration is therefore not only a personal milestone. It is also an important moment for the archdiocese. It reminds younger priests of the value of perseverance. It reminds the faithful of the importance of gratitude. It reminds the Church that the strength of any diocese depends greatly on the faithfulness of its priests. When a priest remains faithful for many years, he becomes a living witness to the history of the Church.
On this occasion, it is right to express sincere appreciation for his years of service. The prayers he has offered for others now return to him as prayers of gratitude. The blessings he has given to many families now return to him as blessings from the people whose lives he has touched. This is one of the quiet rewards of a faithful priestly life.
May this celebration remain a moment of gratitude and reflection. May the Lord who called him to the priesthood continue to bless him with strength and peace. May the Church he has served for forty seven years continue to appreciate his dedication. And may his life remain a simple but strong reminder that faithfulness and humility remain the true honour of the priesthood.
Kudos to Very Rev. Fr. Igbineweka on his twofold celebration.
Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos is a Catholic Priest and a Lecturer at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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