Author: Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Human, son, brother, friend, Igbo, Christian, Catholic, priest, theologian and citizen.
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#SV – Utopia?

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

While preparing this piece of reflection last Friday morning, I was mortified as the news poured in concerning the ‘dance of shame’ that was happening in Nigeria. An activist, publisher and politician, Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested and incarcerated for 126 days for calling for revolution in the country, and who granted bail under stringent conditions, appeared in court that Friday, after he was released less than 16 hours by the DSS. In the court, the same DSS swooped in an re-arrested him, creating chaos in the court. Shame! Yet no one is ashamed. The President under whose watch human … Continue reading #SV – Utopia?

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Borders on Crime

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

After watching his interview over his autobiography with Oprah Winfrey, I decided to patronize Trevor Noah. The book is titled, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (London: John Murray, 2016). I must confess that I have not had the time to read the book until today. Witty! Brilliant! I want to share the content of pages 85-87 with you. And I would like to know if it raises any questions in your mind. If so, what are the questions, the concerns and your reactions. I would please love to see those in the comment section. Here we go: … Continue reading Borders on Crime

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#SV-Highest Mountain

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

It is the first Sunday of Advent and we are called to prepare for the coming of the Lord (Christmas). The prophecy of Isaiah alludes to mountain climbing, the encounter at the highest mountain, where the Lord establishes a kingdom of peace, love, righteousness and unity. Interestingly, the activities on the mountain, though spiritual, has political consequences. It has consequences on the relationship between/among nations. Rather than wars – nuclear war, tribal war, civil war, trade war, diplomatic war, and so on – peace, collaboration, partnership and friendship is to be the norm. It has consequences on the economic development … Continue reading #SV-Highest Mountain

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#SV – The King’s Vinegar

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Well, as a leader it is not a enough that you are mocked. Being mocked is not a measure that you are on the right. But the questions are: Why are you being mocked? And who are the ones mocking you? Are you being mocked for doing the right thing or for doing the wrong things? Are you being mocked for defending the poor, the less privileged and for speaking for the oppressed? Or are you being mocked for making yourself a demi-god, silencing opposition, and privileging the rich and powerful like yourself? Are you being mocked by the poor … Continue reading #SV – The King’s Vinegar

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#SV – Modelling

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Recently, there is a viral video of a young boy who was expressing total disgust against the entire educational system (in Igbo language). For him, life has become so hard that if you are not a politician or a oversea scammer, then you have no access to what makes life enjoyable – money. When his interviewer suggested that he should stop thinking that way and focus rather on his education, the young boy retorted that ‘education is scam’, to use a popular street language in Nigeria. According to him, there is nothing there in the educational system. And he justifies … Continue reading #SV – Modelling

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The Verdict on Religion

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

When Jesus calls our attention to children, he calls us to becoming childlike. Being childlike is the have the mind of a child, a trusting mind, a mind that accepts its limitations but is filled with an innocent trust upon someone greater. It is a call to develop what Zen Masters call the ‘beginner’s mind’, a mind that is docile and ready to learn. In that sense, our spirituality becomes a way of getting beyond our certitudes and our secure-selves in order to move to the realm of childlike innocence and openness. For Richard Rohr “This is exactly what Jesus … Continue reading The Verdict on Religion