By Dr Echezona Obiagbaosogu, a former Catholic priest of 17 years, has publicly announced his resignation from the priesthood to embrace African Traditional Religion (ATR).
He explained that his decision to transition from Catholicism to traditional African spirituality stemmed from a deep fascination with the spiritual practices of his ancestors, particularly the art of rainmaking.
Obiagbaosogu believes Africa possesses vast resources and values, many of which were diminished during the colonial era.
After spending months under the tutelage of a renowned native doctor, Obiagbaosogu noted that his research was aimed at recovering these lost traditions.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, “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.”
Obiagbaosogu’s interest in African spirituality began in childhood. “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 shared.
These early influences, he explained, sparked his deep appreciation for nature and spirituality, which he later explored academically.
Describing his research, Obiagbaosogu said it stemmed from his curiosity about nature, spirituality, and the nature of God.
“The research reflects my curiosity about spirituality and the nature of God. As a priest, I worked in the health sector, which deepened my understanding of health and well-being,” he affirmed.
He also recounted a pivotal experience during his seminary years. “I founded a school called the Society for African Culture, where we invited my father’s friend to demonstrate rainmaking.
“He came and made it rain. This experience led me to investigate it academically.”
Obiagbaosogu, as reported by Punch, emphasised that his work seeks to recover African values and validate practices like rainmaking.
“I discovered that it is indeed a reality and practised by dibia (native doctors). I am not turning my back on God but embracing the divine in a more authentic way.”
He also shared his perspective on the relationship between magic, religion, and science.
“Civilisation began with magic, then moved to religion, and now we have nanoscience and other fields. The white man explored these magical laws, codified them, and called them science. Essentially, science is what was once magic.”
Obiagbaosogu criticised the depiction of African magic in Nollywood, saying it has distorted its essence. “African magic is actually African science, still largely unexplored. We must begin to modify, codify, and document it for future generations.”
When asked about his resignation, Obiagbaosogu remarked, “Life is a process. Things happen, and people begin to look left and right. The important thing is to know oneself. If you understand yourself and remain open to reality, you will make decisions for your life.”
He declined to discuss the specifics of his resignation, describing it as a matter of personal conviction.
What's your reaction?
