Why I quit priesthood. Dr Marshall Madu.
5 min read
For the first time since 1964 when he entered seminary school and left a couple of years later, Dr Marshall Madu, a top community leader, high profile Akalite and an American trained intelligence expert, has decided to open up on why he quit seminary school when people were expecting him to become a priest, just a few years away.
Since 2020, Dr Madu made a promise to speak with Umuaka Times on the subject but due to time constrains from the both parties, it had not been possible for Umuaka Times to hold the interview with Dr Madu. The opportunity provided itself on Thursday 3rd June 2021 when an Umuaka Times correspondent ran into Dr Madu in an event.
Read on and hear him.
Excerpts:
When did you enter the seminary school sir?
I entered in 1964.
You and the late Dr Obielu who first entered?
He entered first.
Which year were you supposed to become a Rev Father?
1981.
Why the long years?
Because of the war. The war obstructed all academic and many social programs in the then Biafranland.
Can you remember the year you left the seminary?
I left after my philosophy and theology courses which was in 1978.
Why did you leave sir?
Can I tell you the truth?
Please do.
I left because of the curiosity in Umuaka then.
Please explain further.
During those days, we were so small to get into the theological seminary then. So the bishop allowed us to do our apostolic work outside. I was one of the few who decided to go for the National Youths Service. The bishop refused but later on, he granted me the opportunity.
So what happened thereafter?
From there I was posted to the North to teach in a government secondary school in Zamfara. Finally, I left from there when my good brother the late CY Dennis Nwoke had already travelled to the United States for further studies. I was so anxious to meet him there.
Did you tell the authorities that you were leaving the seminary?
In fact when I left the seminary, the bishop didn’t know. My own parish priest then, Rev Father Peter Onyebuchi, was happy when I told him that I was going to America. He said to me, ‘Nwa Madu, I know that the Bishop has sent you there’. He did not know I was going on my own. This was also applicable to Nnayi Fidelis Onuoha who was the catechist then. They were all in jubilation.
Why were they in jubilation?
They all assumed that the church had sent me overseas to study.
How did they eventually get to know?
I wrote them letters from America telling them the plain truth that I have left the seminary.
Can you recall their reactions?
They could not believe it. Even the bishop wrote me a letter asking me to come back and join the seminary again. That was how I left the seminary.
Was it the late Bishop Mark Unegbu?
Yes he was the one.
You have not really explained why you left. Was it the urge to travel to obodo oyibo (America) or anything more than that?
In the early 70s that time, the competition then was largely based on academics, especially in Umuaka. They used to say then, “he has entered the university or he has traveled to overseas”. With that curiosity coupled with the fact that my friend and brother CY Dennis has travelled, I was looking forward to joining him there.
You did not know that you could as well travel to the United States as a priest then?
I did not care about that. I just wanted to go there.
Why did you not continue with the seminary when you got to the States?
Changing situations.
How would you describe your first year in the United States?
Believe it or not, when I left the seminary I cried. When I was given visa to America I cried too.
Why were you crying?
Because I did not want to leave the seminary. Since my childhood, after I had left primary school in 1963, I joined the seminary school to become a priest. That has been my life.
From that time till now, do you have any regrets leaving the seminary?
Nooo! I am still with them. I am the chairman of ex-seminarians and former priests. I am still with them and still do my duty as much as I can, even in America.
Did you try to encourage any of your children to go into priesthood?
Not at all.
Why?
I said to them, ‘if you want to, no problem’ but I did not encourage them.
But is it good to be a priest?
Yes.
Why do you think it is good?
Come on. To dedicate your life to the service of God and humanity is a good thing.
But you can still serve God and humanity excellently without being a priest. Don’t you know?
Just as you asked me before if I regret leaving the seminary, no regrets but if I am to make a choice now, I would still like to be a priest. Being a priest is a service to God and humanity in a special way.
Really?
Even in America, if I want to be a priest today, I can still be a priest. Married priesthood is obtainable in America.
Finally, tell us the names of your fellow students then who are priests and bishops now.
Let me start from Umuaka here. Monsignor Vincent Mba, Professor Clement Osunwoke. The Archbishop of Onitsha, he is not only my classmate but roommate. I call him Chukwumonso. Bishop Okeke of Nnewi Diocese is my friend. And Bishop Joseph Ogu of Ogoja.
Did you ever meet the late Bishop Gregory Ochiagha?
(smiles) Do you know what he used to call me? You noisemaking boy. He is my good daddy.
Thank you very much for this brief interview sir.
Thanks a lot my son.
