An only son as celibate
bishop
By Jossy Idam (jidam14yahoo.com)
Saturday,
December 22, 2007
In the traditional African context, it is unthinkable that
a family’s only son would be ordained a bishop and remains
celebate. The parents of His Lordship Most (Rev.) Dr. John
Ebebe Ayah, who in January was ordained, installed the Catholic
Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Cross River State, are not bothered.
For Mr. David Kudong Ayah and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Igwu,
the giving up of their only child for priesthood is the perfect
gift to God.
Like strong biblical figures of old, they feel that God in
His wisdom destined it to happen and that theirs is the ultimate
sacrifice to God.
Early years
At Buya village, Bishiri-Obanliku LGA, the birth place and
home town of the new bishop, Saturday Sun learnt his parents
carry on happily and radiate a deep sense of fulfillment.
Born on December 10th, 1959, Bishop John partly grew up in
Cameroon. From 1968 to 1975, he attended Baptist Convention
Primary School in Limbe, Cameroon. He lived there with his
parternal aunt, Christiana Kudong.
Mentors
In 1977, he came back to Nigeria. His inner desire to be a
priest prompted him to be mentored by two notable priests
in his area, Rev. Fr. Kris Owan and Rev. Fr. Anthony Bassey.
He later enrolled into St. Augustine Junior Seminary, Abakaliki
and passed his WASCE in 1984. The next year, he moved on to
Bigard Memorial Seminary (now St. Joseph Major Seminary),
Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. After his Philosophical Studies
there, he left for Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu and did
Theological Studies. His zeal and humility found him out and
he was made an auxiliary (prefect) in the seminary.
Ordained
His fervent dream came through on July 24th, 1993. his Lordship,
Most Rev. Dr Joseph E. Ukpo raised him to the order of presbyter.
The event took place in his home parish, Mater Redemptory,
Sankwala, Obanliku, and he became the first priest from that
Parish. From then, his bishop posted him to Pope John Paul
11 seminary. After a stint there, he was transferred to St.
Paul Parish, Wanokom. From 1994 to 1998, he served as the
Parish priest of Abuochich. He is known to have worked for
the creation of a new parish, Ukpah. He later went to Leuven,
Belgium and earned a doctorate in Moral Theology. When he
returned in 2005, he held brief in his home parish until he
was posted to Pope John Paul 11 Junior seminary as Rector.
While running the institution, Saturday Sun learnt his leadership
qualities stood him out and he was willy-nilly pronounced
the “Bishop-elect of Ogoja diocese”. Ever humble
and self-depreciating, when the news got to him, he is quoted
to have characteristically asked: “see me o! who am
I?”
Installation as bishop
The event could have taken place in Rome but he opted to have
it done in his home diocese to save his aged parents the tedium
of a long flight and to give his home folks the joy of seeing
one of their own made a bishop.
In a glorious setting at St. Benedict Cathedral, Ogoja, Cross
River State, On Saturday, January 6, 2007, Most Rev. Dr. John
Ebebe Ayah was ordained and installed a bishop. His consecrators
include Most Rev. Dr. Renzo Fratini and Most Rev. Dr. Felix
Alaba Job.
Guiding principle
In his invitation card as a priest, he reflected briefly on
his secret, sacred wish: “keep your love burning steadily
in my heart O Lord; and give me grace to share this love with
all your people”. This time around, he explored the
theme further and said in Latin: UT Deus Ametur (meaning:
“That God may be loved”) through him. Though always
busy, he unwinds by farming, reading and singing.
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