CORNELIUS AFEBU OMONOKHUA

                     PROFILE 

 

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua was born on January 31, 1961, in Irekpai, Uzairue, Etsako West L.G.A, Edo State, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Prof.  Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua has spent his life at the intersection of faith, scholarship, and dialogue.  Raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, he was baptized as Anthony on May 29, 1977, at Otaru College (now Our Lady of Fatima College Auchi), then under Holy Rosary Parish, Uzairue. He received the sacrament of confirmation on May 11, 1980, taking the name Cornelius at Holy Rosary Parish, Uzairue. His journey to the Priesthood culminated in his ordination on September 8, 1990, at St.  Paul’s Catholic Church, Benin City. 

 

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC PURSUITS 

 

Rev. Fr. Omonokhua’s educational journey reflects a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and understanding. He began his formal education at St. Peter’s Primary School, Irekpai (now Odene Primary School), before moving on to Otaru College Auchi (now Fatima College Auchi). He later attended Ss Peter & Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, and furthered his studies at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt. His academic credentials include a Diploma and B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan, a B.TH. in Theology from Urban University, Rome, and an M.TH. in Dogma/Systematic Theology from the University of Calabar. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies/African Christian Theology from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He gained recognition as a Distinguished Professor of Dialogue and Conflict Management at IICSE University in Wilmington, Delaware in the United States of America.

 

PASTORAL AND PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS 

 

Rev. Fr. Omonokhua has served in numerous pastoral roles across Nigeria, gaining firsthand experience in parish ministry and leadership. His assignments have included Assistant Administrator at Holy Cross Cathedral, Mission Road, Benin City; Parish Priest at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Uzairue; St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Afuze; St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Ibillo; St.  Thomas Aquinas’ Catholic Church, Abudu; Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Agenebode; and the Church of the Assumption, Udaba. Beyond parish work, he has held pivotal roles within the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, serving first as Secretary and then as Director of the Department of Mission and Dialogue. He was also Consultor to the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M.) at the Vatican City from 2012 to 2016.

 

Fr. Omonokhua’s commitment to education is evident in his role as a visiting lecturer at All Saints Major Seminary, Uhiele, Ekpoma and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He has also contributed to church administration, serving as Secretary to the Bishop’s Senate of Priests and Chairing the Liturgy Committee in the Catholic Diocese of Auchi. He has coordinated and directed inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism efforts at both diocesan and provincial levels, and has been Chaplain to the Catholic Laity Council and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. 

 

PUBLICATIONS AND EDITORIAL WORK 

 

A prolific writer and editor, Rev. Fr. Omonokhua has published extensively, including poetry, theological reflections, and scholarly works. His published books include:

• Love from the Desert (1995);

• The Joy of Service (1998);

• Freedom to Live (2000);

• The God of our Ancestors: An Approach to Etsako Contextual Theology (2005);

• Reflections on the Holy Rosary;

• John’s Theology of Light (2005);

• Welcome to Inter-Religious Dialogue (2005);

• The Dreams of my Parents: Prose, Drama and Poetry (2011);

• Human Life, Here and Hereafter: Eschatology and Anthropology in the Judeo-Christian and Etsako Religions (2011).

 

His editorial contributions include work with the Nigeria Anglican Roman Catholic Commission (NARCC) Proceedings, NARCC Newsletter, and Prospect Press at Ss. Peter and Paul Major Seminary. 

He has served as Head of Secretariat Department at the Seminary and as Secretary to various administrative and academic leaders. His scholarly output includes numerous articles in renowned journals, national newspapers, and international magazines. His columns and essays appear weekly in publications such as Guardian, Sunday Trust, Observer, Pilot, and diocesan newspapers across Nigeria’s Catholic dioceses. His work also reaches international audiences, with contributions to the Fountain Magazine in Turkey and other foreign periodicals, as well as radio and Catholic television programs.  His interviews have been featured in German-language publications and are accessible online. His books can be accessed in Amazon.com.

 

His academic research includes a doctoral dissertation on “Anthropology and Eschatology: A Theologico-Comparative Enquiry into the Destiny of Man in Judeo-Christian and Etsako Religions,” a master’s thesis on “The Concept of God among Christians and the Afemai of Edo State, Nigeria,” and undergraduate work on “The Theology of Light in St. John’s Gospel.” 

 

CURRENT POSITION 

 

Rev. Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) and Secretary General of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council.