You don’t find many Nigerian-born Italian-speaking priests living in Australian country towns. But Father Christian Obiekwe, in Griffith since 2015, has been giving both Italian and English language masses at Sacred Heart Church Griffith.
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Area News sat down with the man who has captivated and intrigued so many Griffins in his short time here.
Did you learn Italian before you arrived here?
No, actually when I arrived in Griffith I didn’t speak it at all. I learned it by conversing to people, especially to seniors. I would pick up words and then sentences.
Piano piano si va lontano as they say. Slowly, slowly you go far.
Why was learning Italian important to you?
I noticed that when I went in to aged care facilities and said “hello”, I’d get a shy response.
But when I greeted people by saying "buongiorno", their eyes would light up.
It was important to me to learn the native language of so many people here. It’s helped me connect.
So how did you end up in Griffith?
I first moved to Australia in 2010 – to Wagga where I did my training. And then I was placed in Griffith by the Bishop. We go where the Bishop wants us to go.
Do you like it here?
Oh it’s beautiful, just beautiful. The people have been so welcoming. I’d like to say I’m a local since I got my Australian citizenship in Griffith. But as we say you have to live here 20 years to be classed a local.
What do you do outside of giving masses?
Outside my normal schedules, I play soccer, tennis, table tennis and swimming. And maybe going for a run.
I love to meet people and listen to their stories. And learn about what Griffith was like many years ago. I have been involved with preparing couples for marriage, journeying with grieving family, giving them hope through the light of Christ’s resurrection. But also I’m involved with schools and youth groups helping the young people learn about faith and how to live well in the community.
So how many languages do you speak?
I speak Igbo and of course English which is Nigerian’s national language, Italian and French. I can also read Greek, Hebrew and Latin.
You’ve studied a bit too I understand?
Yeah I have a masters degree in philosophy; a post graduate diploma in journalism; and a bachelor of divinity in theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.
You’ve come to Australia at a tough time for the Catholic Church, during the Child Abuse Royal Commission. Has that been difficult?
It has been difficult. But I think the Bishops have been sincere in apologising to the victims of abuse, and shown a willingness to go on a journey of redemption with them.
How do we know the church has learned from past mistakes?
We have learned so much. There is so much training and workshops going on these days. We engage with the community a lot more than before.
Any message for the people of Griffith?
I’d like to keep being face of Jesus to everyone I meet here. And I would love to see everyone at church every Sunday. It’s a great way of bringing the community together. And the mass is only 45 minutes. It doesn’t hurt (smiles).