“The end for which God has instituted the priesthood has been to appoint on earth public persons to watch over the honour of his divine majesty, and to procure the salvation of souls.”
– St. Alphonsus Liguori
Having had their faith natured, nurtured and nourished at the fertile and flourishing soil of Essien Town, reputable for breeding, brewing and enriching vocations to the Catholic priesthood, Reverend Fathers; Fabian Eyo Ekpo and Charles Archibong Offiong have offered themselves to a lifetime of celibacy, sacrifice and service to GOD and Humanity through the Sacred Priesthood of Christ.
It is imperative to note that they stem from a root that has produced several priests and religious for the Catholic Church in Calabar. The first Efik priest, Late Very Rev. Fr. Michael Adim Ukpong Offiong, ordained for the Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar and who served as a priest for 31 years before he died, was of the same root, a descendant of Essien Etim Offiong and a native of Ebiet Essien, also known as Essien Town in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ordained the same year 2024, though at different times, both priests; Reverend Fathers; Fabian Eyo Ekpo and Charles Archibong Offiong are descendants of Essien Etim Offiong and Parishioners of St. Charles L’Wanga Parish Essien Town, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. While Fr. Fabian Ekpo was ordained a priest on 30th June, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Egerton Street, Calabar by His Grace, Most Rev. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, Fr. Charles Offiong was ordained a priest by the same Chief Shepherd and at the same venue, on 30th November, 2024. It is interesting to note that, apart from sharing same paternal and parish roots, both of them attended the same minor Seminary (Immaculate Conception Seminary) Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, and same major Seminary (St. Joseph Major Seminary), Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, both in Nigeria.
Reverend Fathers; Fabian Eyo Ekpo and Charles Archibong Offiong have added to the number of the litany of priests; Reverend Fathers; Emmanuel Okokon Andinam, Emmanuel Offiong, Francis Offiong, Gabriel Bulem, Cyril Offiong (SDV) and Emmanuel Uket (SPS) produced and paraded by St. Charles L’Wanga Parish, Essien Town, Calabar Cross River State, Nigeria.
May GOD remain their hope and help and grant each of them a fruitful vocation.
Anthony Ekpo Bassey, PhD
