Monsignor Sylvester Nwankwo-Ora Mgbemfulu was born in Ugbene town in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State on 30th September 1945. He had his primary Education in Ugbene, Ugbenu and Nando. After obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1959, he spent two years at home helping his parents in farming with special interest in fishing. He was taken to Aba in 1962 by his senior brother Honorable David Mgbemfulu where he engaged in Newspaper sales. From Aba, he entered All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha in January 1963.
In 1968, he entered Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu which was then in Exile at Afaha Obong in Ikot Ekpene, Amaimo and Amakohia both in Imo state because of the Civil War. After the war, he completed his Philosophical and Theological studies at Bigard Seminary in Enugu and on 20th April, Easter Saturday, 1974 he was ordained a Catholic priest at Holy Trinity Cathedral Onitsha by then Archbishop but now Francis Cardinal Arinze, thus abandoning fishing of fish to become a Fisher of men.
Since his Ordination in 1974, Monsignor Mgbemfulu served as Assistant Parish Priest to late Monsignor William Obelagu At St. Mary’s Catholic Church Inland Town, Onitsha between 1974 and 1975, Rector St. Paul’s Seminary Ukpor (1975 – 1977).
In 1977, he entered University of Nigeria Nsukka where he graduated with honours in Education and Chemistry in 1981. In 1981, he served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka while making preparations for the take-off of St. Johnbosco Seminary Isuoniocha in 1982 and 1983, he served as the pioneer Rector of the Seminary. From 1982 to his retirement in October 2020, he has been the Senior Chemistry Department Master and Head of Chemistry Department as well as Coordinator of Science Laboratories in the institution.
From 1994, he served as Spiritual Director, until retirement in 2020. From 1982 to 1984, he served as Quasi-parish Priest for the outstation towns of Isuoniocha, Urum and Amanuke. He has worked as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Joseph of the Holy Family Church Manhattan, 1991 to 1993; Sacred Heart Church Mount Vernon,
2001 to 2002 and 2009 to 2010 all in New York, USA.
He was member of the Seminary Commission 1990, 1993 and 1994. Chaplain of Diocesan Mary League Girl’s, Association 1983 to1985 and saw to the production and launching of its handbook in December 1984.
In 1986, Monsignor Mgbemfulu, served as Special Assistant to the late Archbishop A.K Obiefuna on the construction of a motorable road from Amansea through Ebenebe, Ugbenu, Ugbene Up to Awba-Ofemmili.
In 1995, his Ugbene community elected him chairman and Coordinator of the Committee on Ezu Ugbene-Amanuke bridge project. With Assistance from Reverend Father Dr W. Nwoko, a retired Colonel and military Chaplain, Eighty Second Division Enugu, Monsignor Mgbemfulu brought in the Army Engineers who partnered with the state Government to make the bridge project a reality and commissioned by the former Governor Peter Obi after very crucial interventions by Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Paulinus .Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka.
On the 20th of October 2015, his Holiness Pope Francis conferred the title of Papal Chamberlain, on the Celebrant. In October 2020, Monsignor Mgbemfulu retired from teaching in the Seminary and was posted to St. Theresa’s Parish Nibo to live in the residence and to assist in various activities.
The Parish Priest, Parish Pastoral Council, the entire Parishioners of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Nibo and Pa Anthony Mgbemfulu Family of Ugbene use this opportunity to invite the general public to Priestly Golden Jubilee Anniversary Celebration of Very Reverend Monsignor Sylvester Nwankwo-Ora Mgbemfulu, Book presentation and Launching, tomorrow Saturday April 6th 2024, which will start with 10am Mass, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Nibo, under the chairmanship of Chief I.G Aguowo while Governor Chukwuma Soludo
is the Distinguish Guest of Honor and Chief Fidelis Nweke is the Chief Launcher, among many other dignitaries.
Happy Golden Jubilee celebration to our most Amiable Monsignor. May Your Days be blessed with Good health as you continue to work in n the Lord’s vine yard Amen.
Written by REV. FR. CHRISTOPHER EZEONU
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