Lauds Viola Onwuliri for the Opening of The Nigerian Embassy at the Vatican
Rome-based Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Vatican, has been formally admitted into full membership of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI), describing the opportunity as both humbling and demanding.
The ceremony, which took place recently at the Catholic Secretariat, Abuja, and drew the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Nigeria as well as Knights and Ladies of KSJI in Nigeria, was marked by solemn rites, fraternal solidarity, and reaffirmation of the Knights’ mission to uphold Christian values, promote charity, and defend the Church.
Expressing joy at his admission into full membership of the Knights of St. John International, where his late parents, Noble Bro Innocent and Noble Lady Bridget Nwachukwu, were members, the Archbishop described the honor as “a call to deeper service, discipline, and moral responsibility.” We must note that knighthood goes beyond ceremonial recognition and demands a higher standard of conduct and commitment to the ideals of faith, charity, and justice.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama who was represented by Very Rev Fr. Chris Nnubia, cautioned that “with the admission of Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu into KSJI, expectations have now been significantly raised, not only for himself but for all members, as I urge knights and Ladies to live up to the noble ideals upon which the Order was founded.” ”.
In his goodwill message at the ceremony, the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, said that “the bar has been raised,” he emphasized, adding that the dignity of the Order must continually be reflected in the personal lives, public conduct, and service of its members to the Church and society at large.
On his part, the then Supreme Subordinate President of Nigeria, Noble Bro Remy Uche, under whose watch Archbishop Nwachukwu was admitted, expressed joy at the ceremony and opined that Archbishop Nwachukwu’s parents, who had gone the way of all mortals, would be happy at his admission. Speaking further, he said, “The admission of His Grace into KSJI underscores the value we attach to evangelization, and to think that He is the Head of the Dicastery for Evangelization in Rome, speaks volumes ”.
Congratulating Archbishop Nwachukwu on joining KSJI, the Catholic Bishop of Katsina Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Gerald Mamman Musa, admonished KSJI members to live up to the ideals of knighthood and continue to support the church in the task of evangelization. He noted this while reviewing the book titled “Enhancing Communication in the Parish Community,” written by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael N. Umoh and presented by Sir Kenneth Ifekudu, KSJI, at the event. In the same vein, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, His Excellency Most Rev. Lucius I. Ugorji, was full of commendation for Archbishop Nwachukwu and KSJI in commissioning such an important book and strongly recommended it to all and sundry, clergy and lay faithful.
At the reception, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu singled out Professor Viola Adaku Onwuliri for the commendable role she played through her foresight and commitment to strengthening Nigeria–Vatican relations, culminating in the successful opening of the Nigerian Embassy to the Vatican, an achievement he described as both historic and enduring.
The Archbishop praised Noble Lady Professor Viola Onwuliri, a distinguished member of the KSJI, for her pivotal role in the establishment of Nigeria’s embassy to the Vatican during her tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Recalling Nigeria’s diplomatic history with the Holy See, the archbishop, who was then the Protocol Officer of the Pope, interfaced with two earlier Nigerian foreign ministers to enable the opening of the embassy, but they failed to get it through.
According to him, the presence of a Nigerian diplomatic mission at the Vatican has continued to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster interfaith dialogue, and deepen Nigeria’s engagement with the global Catholic community.
It will be recalled that at the same ceremony, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Pius Kii was also admitted into KSJI. Monsignor Kii, whose parents are also Knights of St. John International. He has served as the spiritual adviser of KSJI in CIWA. At present, Msgr. Kii serves in several critical roles that underscore his versatility and unwavering commitment to the Church and society. He is the President of the Canon Law Society of West Africa, where he provides strategic guidance to canonists across the subregion, fostering unity, professionalism, and fidelity to the Church’s magisterium
