RIP Fr. Charles Nwora Okeke - Famous and Beloved Catholic Priest Dies after Illness at Age 56

Father Charles Okeke
 Date of Birth: April 11, 1956 has died on March 5, 2018.
Release by St. Monica's Parish in Georgia: 

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Charles Okeke who passed away early this morning.

 

At this point, no arrangements have been made but we will update as soon as we know.

 

I invite you to please pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet today at 3:00pm in possible.

Cards and condolences may be sent to:

The Office of Priest Personnel
The Archdiocese of Atlanta
2401 Lake Park Drive, SE
Smyrna, GA 30080

Here is a bio of Fr. Charles (Source: stpatricksga.org)

 Date of Ordenation: June 18, 2011
 Hometown: Abatete, Nigeria
 Parents: Christopher Ekunie Okeke and Florence Okeke, both deceased.
 Siblings: Two brothers and two sisters. 

Educational Profile OF REV. BRO. CHARLES OKEKE, Ph.D.

Charles Ogbuchukwu Okeke, was a lecturer in the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, NwaforOrizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State. He was a Fellow of Strategic Institute for National Resources and Human Development. He holds a Dip in Italian language, from Centro Studi Cassia, Gregorian University, Rome; Dip in French language, from institute Catholique de Paris, France; B. Phil (Bachelor of Philosophy) and B. D (Bachelor of Divinity/Theology) from Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome; PGDE, from Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; M.A (Religion and Human Relations, specializing in African Traditional Religion) and Ph.D. (African Traditional Religion) from NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka. He belongs to the Religious Congregation of the Brothers of St. Stephen, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha. (Source: demazon)

Further Info about Fr. Charles from Stpatricksga.org

 Work Experience: Taught microbiology at the University of Nigeria; worked as a medical research scientist in Germany, Japan and the United States.
 Particular Ministries of Interest: Preaching Pastoral Internships: Christ Our Hope, Lithonia; St. Thomas Aquinas, Alpharetta; St. Peter, LaGrange; Mary Our Queen, Norcross.
 Hobbies and Interests: Reading
 Favorite Seminary Class: Christology
 Favorite Bible Story: The raising of Lazarus.
 Most Admired Person: St. Charles Borromeo
 First Assignment: St. Benedict, Johns Creek
 Second Assignment: St. Patrick’s Parish, Norcross, Ga.
An Interesting Article by the Famous Fr. Charles:
The Major Problem of Disobedience and Disrespect for Church Authority 
Source Courageous Priest Blog by Fr. Charles Nwora Okeke
 A Reflection on a major problem in the contemporary Church: “Because each person presumes that he or she knows what best, disobedience and disrespect for Church authority prevails. We should all step back and remind ourselves the reason we are members of the Church; it is to save our souls through prayers and reception of the sacraments.” A major problem in the Church today is the profusion of people who, with neither study nor formation, presume expertise in theological, liturgical, and miscellaneous Church matters. We read one or two blogs on the internet and we presume on having a better understanding of the Church and spiritual matters than the Pope. Everybody has an opinion on how best to govern the Church; on what the liturgy should be or not. At a recent committee meeting someone even suggested that we should include catechumens and first communicants among those whose feet are to be washed on Holy Thursday. But in the Roman Missal it is clearly stated that “MEN” should be invited. (Note: This was written before Pope Francis’ feet washing declaration.)
 Do the RED, Say the BLACK
In celebrating the liturgy, we priests are bound to do what is typed in red in the Roman Missal and say what is in black; the laity is expected to participate actively, reverentially and prayerfully. Any other thing becomes an innovation or distraction. Today, many Catholics seem to forget that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is not utilitarian; it is not a Church of opinion polls. Because each person presumes that he or she knows what best, disobedience and disrespect for Church authority prevails. We should all step back and remind ourselves the reason we are members of the Church; it is to save our souls through prayers and reception of the sacraments. If we fail to attain this purpose then we have truly failed in life, and it would be better that we were never born. And the Lord in His perfect wisdom, and knowing the brokenness of man, has made is such that the efficacy of the sacraments is not affected by the sinfulness of the minister. So we have no reason to fail.