After 17yrs As Clergy, Catholic Priest Dump Christianity, Embraces African Traditional Religion

Dr. Echezona Obiagbaosogu, who spent 17 years as a Catholic priest, has stepped down from his clerical role to follow the path of African traditional religion.

Currently a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Obiagbaosogu shared that his deep interest in traditional African spirituality and the practice of rainmaking led to his decision.

Defending his PhD Dissertation titled “Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine,” on Wednesday, 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.

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 was an agriculturist with trees around the compound and always brought in new ones, some of which he said were medicinal.

So, I learned from him to appreciate nature. My background is also significant. I was once a Catholic priest—Rev. Father. I began this research as a priest five years ago and then left the priesthood, so now I am married.