PASTORAL SOLIDARITY MEETINGS AND SPIRITUAL EXERCISES IN CZECH REPUBLIC
PASTORAL SOLIDARITY MEETINGS AND SPIRITUAL EXERCISES IN CZECH REPUBLIC
From the 7th to the 13th of August, 2025, I was invited by Most Rev. Tomás Holub, the Bishop of Pilsen to participate in a very important yearly pilgrimage of St. Lawrentius and Folklore Festival, and to also get to know how our two priests from Abuja Archdiocese (Fr. Anthony Primus Okon and Fr. Vincent Ilegtobe) are doing in their pastoral work in his Diocese.
I was very warmly received at the airport in Prague upon arrival by a kind-hearted man, Dr. Peter Markwart. He brought me to the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Prague, His Excellency, Jude Thaddeus Okolo (a Nigerian from Nnewi) who hosted me with extraordinary hospitality at the beginning and the end of my visit to Czech Republic.
Shortly after arrival in Prague, the Nuncio and I visited the Church of the Infant Jesus of Prague where we prayed and meditated in front of the Infant Jesus after which the Nuncio kindly showed me a bit of Prague.
From Prague I travelled to Pilsen where Bishop Tomás Holub very warmly received me. In Pilsen, I had a guided tour of their beautiful Cathedral. I also visited Svatá Hora, Příbram
Next, the Bishop and I went to Domažlice city, where the Mayor, Mr. Stanislav Antos graciously welcomed me in the presence of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, and the Minister for Arts & Culture. All of them attended the Mass I con-celebrated as part of the annual pilgrimage to Saint Lawrence, Veselá horá, Domažlice, where I spoke twice. There was a big crowd at the Mass, many of the people elegantly dressed in traditional fashion, played traditional instruments and sang lovely cultural songs. I visited the Church of the Nativity, Domažlice, and venerated the holy picture of our Lady of Klatový and prayed at the catacombs of centuries-old remains of Jesuit missionaries.
On Sunday 10th, I celebrated Mass in the Trappists’ Monastery, Nový Dvur. I also briefly visited the Premonstratensian Monastery at Teplá and visited Meditační Zahrada, which is a contemplative garden focusing on the passion of Christ.
On Monday 11th, I had a meeting and lunch with the Bishop of Hradec Kralové, Most Rev. Jan Vokál and Most Rev. Prokop Brož, Auxiliary Bishop of Hradec Králové, followed by a guided tour of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit; then to Kutná Hora, where we visited St. Barbara’s Church before leaving to Prague.
Back to Prague, I again stayed in the Apostolic Nuciature, and the following day, the 12th, I had a meeting with Ambassador Tomáš Pojar, National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic in the presence of Ambassador-designate of Czech Republic to the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, Tomáš Výprachtický.
The Ambassador-designate kindly hosted us to lunch at St. Norbert’s Monastery Restaurant.
On the same day, I had a meeting with the Archbishop of Prague/Primate of Czech Lands, Most Rev. Jan Bosco Graubner. His Eminence, Dominik Cardinal Duka, Archbishop Emeritus of Prague was also present at the meeting. This was followed by a guided visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbertus.
A farewell dinner offered by the Apostolic Nuncio, brought to an end my programmes of visit.
On Wednesday the 13th, the Nuncio, after our Holy Mass in the Nunciature chapel with the Rev. Sisters (who work very dedicatedly with him in the Nunciature), personally brought me to the airport and kindly ensured that I had very good airport departure logistics/ formalities.
I cannot thank enough all those who made my visit not only spiritually fulfilling, but also pastorally relevant. The visit also offered me an opportunity to explain to individuals and groups what they wanted to know about our country Nigeria.
I thank very sincerely all my hosts in Czech Republic for facilitating the programme of my pastoral solidarity visit, at the invitation of the Bishop of Pilsen, a visit in line with what was so strongly encouraged by the Synod on Synodality.
To God be glory and praise!
