Msgr. Sylvester Uwadineke Osigwe

Msgr. Sylvester Uwadineke Osigwe was born on July 19, 1939. He is a native of Umunumo, Ehime Mbano in Imo State, Nigeria. Osigwe was ordained a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos on Decembrer 18, 1977. As a Priest,  Osigwe worked at different parishes in both Lagos and Abeokuta Catholic dioceses. He served as the pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church Ibowon in Epe. While he was there, Msgr. Osigwe witnessed the significant health and other challenges the people were facing, and was moved to action. His passion for addressing healthcare services through healthcare programs, prayer and sacramental healing services grew. Many people came for counseling and emotional healing. His visible commitment to sereve God and humanity prompoted the peple to call him, “a  man always with the people and for the people”.

 

He would eventually travel to Rome to pursue advanced studies in Pastoral Theology and Healthcare. After his return from Rome, Msgr. Osigwe founded a healing ministry that would attract people from all over the country. Through this weekly healing ministry, he was able to provide emotional and physical healing for many who were convinced that they were touched by the healing power of God through his prayers and pastoral ministry.

 

Msgr. Osigwe died on 22nd June, 2019 after a brief illness. He was 79 years old. Before his death, Msgr. Osigwe was moved by the suffering and unimaginable struggles of the sick people in Nigeria, especially the poor and vulnerable ones who live in deplorable conditions where access to healthcare is very limited. He was motivaed to start the contruction of the “Health and Peace Clinic“ which he envisioned will help address some of the health needs of this vulnerable population. Unfortunately, the project was not completed before his death, and remians unfinished.

 

Following Msgr. Osigwe’s death, the priests and religious from his hometown were inspired by his vision for the Health and Peace clinic and have continued from where he left off. They want to help bring others together to realize his dream to construct a clinic for the sick poor. Msgr. Osigweh meant different things to many people. To some, he was a father, to others, a patron, some a doctor, others a man of courage. He was dedicated and disciplined. He will be remembered for so many things, especially his care for the sick, poor and vulnerable people.