Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 18/05) - Parishioners and other members of the community turned out at the Igloo Church last Saturday to witness Matthew Ihuoma be ordained into the priesthood.

With Bishop of Mackenzie Denis Croteau presiding over the ceremony, several other Roman Catholic clergy from around the Territories were also in attendance.

"I think the weekend was stressful but I feel good," said Ihuoma of both the preparations and ordainment.

"First one has to deal with the spiritual preparations and I had to ask myself questions, 'Was I ready to make the final commitment.' And then there was getting the program ready and what was involved in the ordination rites.

"The Parish Council here worked so hard and church members worked so hard and were very, very gracious. I can't thank them enough."

Born in southeast Nigeria, Ihuoma has been on the road to the priesthood for the past 12 years. Following six years of study with the Oblates of Saint Joseph in Nigeria, he spent a year of pastoral internship in Ghana then worked for a time as the personal assistant to the National Vice-Chairman of the ruling party in the Nigerian government. His path to Inuvik also included stops in Jamaica, two years of seminary studies at St. Paul's University in Ottawa and his ordainment as a Deacon in Yellowknife in Dec. 2004.

"I'm not really feeling different but I'm beginning to understand the responsibilities at a deeper level," he said of being ushered into the priesthood.

Eddie Lavoie, a Deacon ordained in Inuvik 11 years ago, assisted with Saturday's ceremony and called Ihuoma a pioneer. "Once Africa received missionaries and now people like Matthew are leaving to answer their calling abroad," he said. "I know he's worked very hard for it and by stepping outside his culture into ours I think will add something special to this community."