Catholic priest resigns, embraces traditional religion
Dr. Echezona Obiagbaosogu, a former Catholic priest who served for 17 years, has announced his resignation from the priesthood to embrace African Traditional Religion.
Currently a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, Obiagbaosogu shared that he was drawn to African spirituality and the art of rainmaking, which became the focus of his academic research.
After successfully defending his PhD dissertation titled “Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine,” Obiagbaosogu expressed his belief that Africa’s valuable cultural heritage had been undermined by colonialism. He revealed that he had spent months studying under a prominent native doctor to learn the craft of rainmaking, aiming to rediscover and preserve the continent’s traditional wisdom.
Obiagbaosogu reflected on his journey, saying, “I have come to realize that my true calling is to serve my people through the ancient traditions of our ancestors.” He further explained that his interest in spirituality and nature had been shaped by his upbringing—he partly lived with his maternal grandfather, a traditionalist, while his father, though a Christian, still held onto certain traditional beliefs, particularly in the use of medicinal plants.
While serving as a Catholic priest, Obiagbaosogu began researching rainmaking and Igbo medicine, a subject that led him to question his path in the priesthood. His academic pursuit, which began while he was still a priest, culminated in his departure from the clergy. He is now married and committed to his mission of recovering African cultural values.
One of the key moments that inspired his research was when a friend of his late father demonstrated the process of rainmaking, an experience that confirmed his curiosity. Obiagbaosogu shared that his research was not an abandonment of faith but rather a deepening of his connection to the divine through the traditional practices of his ancestors.
Obiagbaosogu also reflected on the connection between magic, religion, and science, noting that civilization evolved from magic to religion and is now exploring new frontiers in science.
He argued that what is now regarded as science was once viewed as magic, codified by Western scholars. He emphasized that African traditional knowledge, which includes what is often labeled as “magic,” should be recognized as a form of science that deserves documentation and exploration.
When asked about his decision to leave the priesthood, Obiagbaosogu acknowledged that life is a process, and individuals must understand themselves and remain open to new realities. He declined to go into details about his resignation, stating that it was a personal decision rooted in his conviction.
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