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The Three Graveyards

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

Early this month, a group of friends gathered for lunch in the quiet village of Boxberg, somewhere in Germany. As the conversation progressed, one of them narrated the story of a small community in Germany that had three graveyards (Friedhöfe): the first is for the Catholics, the second is for the Evangelische Kirche (Lutherans) and the third is for everyone. Interestingly, the first two are quite populated with beautifully maintained graves/gravestones, but the general or common graveyard has, after 10 years of its establishment, only two graves. Why? Why did the community even come to the resolution to set up … Continue reading The Three Graveyards

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#SV – Availability

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

To add a few lines: Availability is equally an act of respect – respect to the one who requires you to be available for others, God in this case. It is also an act of respect to others whom you are to serve. When people are gifted, it is not meant to service their pride and ego, which is often the case. Since the talents and competences which form the basis of our availability for service towards others should not make us bloated in pride and self-adulation, then it means that availability is an attitude of humility. It invites us … Continue reading #SV – Availability

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50 Years: Biafra, Nigeria and WCC Diplomacy

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

It is exactly 50 years since the end of the Nigerian-Biafran War (1967-1970). The war ended on Thursday, 15 January 1970. It was a terrible war, the effect of which has continued to reverberate in Nigeria today. Part of the tragedy of the war is the inter-generational trauma that it has created. Secessionist movements like MASSOB and IPOB, are instances of the effect of this trauma. But the trauma is not sustained by a mere fantasy to ‘recreate’ Biafra, rather it is fanned by the continued perception of marginalization of the former Eastern Region as well as the absence of … Continue reading 50 Years: Biafra, Nigeria and WCC Diplomacy

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#SV – Bring Me Word

Ikenna Paschal Okpaleke

We now live in a world that is suffering from an epidemic called ‘mutual destruction syndrome’ (MDS). If you are successful then you are a target of angry darts! If you seek to live a holy life then you have to face the battle. If you are humble, then some people would insist that you make them look terrible. Every social media is now a platform for the MDS – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter are places where people are dragged, shamed, and maligned. Hurtful words are given out daily without any reflection. I do not mean that evil should not be … Continue reading #SV – Bring Me Word