THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL OF THE FAITH BY FR PREYE PAUL
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL OF THE FAITH, CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BOMADI, NIGERIA BY V.R. FR PREYE SAMSON PAUL
PREAMBLE
The advent of the School of the Faith (Spanish: Escuela de la Fe) in the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi is one rooted in vision, missionary zeal, and a deep pastoral sensitivity to the needs of the People of God. It represents the unfolding of a dream long held in the heart of Most Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Egbebo, MSP, who discerned an urgent necessity for a structured institute that would train lay men and women, and religious sisters in the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church. The School was founded to address a growing need within the Diocese: the shortage of well-formed catechists, evangelizers, marriage counselors, and pastoral workers who could respond confidently and competently to the complex challenges of contemporary evangelization.
For many years, the Diocese grappled with the reality that while the faith was present, the formation necessary to sustain and deepen that faith was insufficient. Bishop Egbebo observed that if the local Church was to flourish and truly embody its missionary mandate, then deliberate investment in doctrinal formation was indispensable. His vision was clear—to establish an institution that would form credible heralds of the Gospel, capable of teaching the faith clearly, defending it convincingly, and living it authentically. The School of the Faith would serve not only parishes but also the wider mission territory, providing trained evangelizers who could reach virgin territories, strengthen communities where the faith struggled to survive or no catholic presence and hence to rekindle missionary fire in lands weakened by pastoral challenges.
FOUNDATIONAL FORMATION AND THE FIRST STEPS (November 2022)
The journey towards the establishment of the School began in earnest in November 2022, after he (Bishop Egbebo) attended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Plenary Meeting at Orlu, Imo State in September, 2022. There he learned about the School of the Faith, a Vatican‑accredited catechetical institute founded in Mexico in 1975 to train pastoral agents for the mission of the diocese. His heart was on fire and his feet were on the move without hesitation; he set to work towards its establishment in his diocese while aiming to form morally grounded, faith‑filled individuals who blend academic excellence with spiritual growth, and he selected five pastoral agents to undergo preliminary formation. These included Fr Preye Paul whom he appointed as the pioneer President, followed by Fr Jude Ikpaikpai, Sr Theresa Nwafor, Catechist James Orogun, and Catechist Emmanuel Obata became the first Governing Board members. They were sent to Bishop Kelly Pastoral Center, Benin City, Edo State for a weeklong intensive training seminar. This seminar, held on Monday 7-Saturday 12 November, 2022, was facilitated by Fr Robert Havens, Africa Regional Director, and Fr Andrew Ovienloba, National Director. It was during this seminar that Fr Robert Havens raised a series of critical questions for reflection and discussion among the pastoral agents—questions that would later shape the curriculum and mission of the School. These questions challenged the trainees to evaluate their personal knowledge of the Faith, their ability to evangelize, and the cultural and spiritual realities of their parishes and communities:
1) Do I know my Faith enough to explain to others why Jesus must be number one, or do I struggle to articulate it?
2) Do the Catholics in my parish or diocese know how to “give reasons for their Faith”?
3) Do Catholics in my parish or diocese generally understand that their Faith does not depend on the quality of preaching or singing in church? Is their belief in God determined by the special talents or gifts of their parish priest or bishop? Would they remain Catholics if they had a “difficult” parish priest?
4) Are there distinctly non-Catholic cultural elements prevalent among the “believers” in my parish or diocese? Elements such as lack of Christian charity, disdain for others, hatred, family fighting, promiscuity, or corruption. Do my people realize that these behaviours are irreconcilable with their Catholic Faith?
5) Would my people remain Catholics if they had to choose between their Faith and material prosperity?
6) What is the main reason for Catholics falling away in my parish or diocese? What is the main hindrance to evangelization in my parish or diocese?
These questions became a guiding framework for the School’s teaching methodology, emphasizing self-reflection, cultural awareness, and practical evangelization strategies. They ensure that graduates not only understand the Faith intellectually but also internalize it in a way that transforms their own lives and empowers them to be effective witnesses in their parishes, communities, and beyond.
The School of the Faith, through these reflective exercises, lectures, and hands-on training, has thus become a laboratory for pastoral excellence, preparing Catholic leaders capable of addressing both spiritual and socio-cultural challenges in the Diocese of Bomadi.
FORMAL AFFILIATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS (December 2022)
Shortly after the initial training, the Diocese moved toward formal affiliation. On 6 December 2022, Bishop Egbebo wrote officially to the international headquarters of the School of the Faith in Mexico, seeking authorization to establish the School in the Diocese of Bomadi. His letter expressed the Diocese’s desire to train men and women capable of carrying the Gospel to challenging mission territories, strengthening communities where the faith was fragile, and revitalizing areas in need of urgent evangelization.
This request was warmly approved by the international leadership, marking a significant milestone for the Diocese. The approval connected Bomadi to a worldwide network of Schools dedicated to doctrinal excellence and missionary formation, and it cleared the way for the institution’s formal establishment.
OFFICIAL OPENING AND THE PIONEER CLASS (June 2023)
With international approval secured, the School of the Faith officially began operations on 4 June 2023 with an Inaugural Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, MSP and her first biennial Public Lecture was given by Sir Theodore Ezonfade KSM and moderated by Sr Norell Etim Ene, MSBS in Okutukutu III, Bayelsa State. Two study centres were inaugurated: one at the Chancery in Bomadi, and another at St. Agnes Nursery and Primary School in Okutukutu III. The response from the faithful was both overwhelming and inspiring. A total of 174 students enrolled in the pioneer academic year—17 at the Bomadi Centre and 157 at the Okutukutu III Centre.
These pioneer students came from various parishes and diverse backgrounds, united by a common hunger to know their faith more deeply and to serve the Church more faithfully. Their commitment breathed life into the Bishop’s vision, embodying the missionary and educational spirit upon which the School was founded.
Moreover, a notable milestone in the School’s intellectual tradition is its biennial public lecture series. The second biennial public lecture was delivered on the 5th of June, 2025, by Professor Marcellinus Arhorgho, who spoke on the theme: “Faith and Reason: Exploring the Intersection of Theology and Science.” The lecture was moderated by Dr Francis Elawaremi. This lecture further strengthened the School’s commitment to deepening theological inquiry and engaging contemporary issues through scholarly reflection.
LECTURERS AND COURSE STRUCTURE
As the School of the Faith continued to expand its academic life and deepen its pastoral impact, the institution further strengthened its teaching faculty across its two study centers—Okutukutu and Bomadi. By 2025, the School operated with a robust team of dedicated and selfless departmental members committed to high-quality catechetical and theological formation.
Okutukutu Study Center
(For both First and Second Semesters)
The following lecturers served at the Okutukutu Center, each bringing excellence, depth, and pastoral experience to their respective courses:
Fr. Preye Paul – Introduction to Faith and Salvation History
Fr. Raymond Ogio – One God, Father of All Men
Fr. Sixtus Ebobrah – Introduction to the Bible
Catechist Emmanuel Obata – Church History / Practical Catechesis / Target Group
Fr. Francis Mani – Mariology
Fr. Anthony Suoware – Liturgy
Fr. Michael Ogbor – Christology
Fr. Peter Brakaebi – Demonology and Exorcism
Engr. Johnny Rufus – Marriage Counseling
Lady Agatha Brialade – Fundamental Catechesis
Dr. Stephen Demateide – Marriage and Health
Sr. Norell Ene, MSBS – Life in Christ
Dr. Francis Elaweremi – Lay Spirituality
Fr. Jude Ikpaikpai – Pneumatology
Mr. Desmond Daubry – Civil Marriage
Bomadi Study Center
(For First Semester Only)
Sr. Theresa Nwafor, SOLSS – Introduction to Faith and Salvation History
Fr. Kingsley Ogbejeje, Ph.D. – Christian Marriage
Fr. Zachariah Fufeyin – Mariology
Fr. Victor Nlemchi – Liturgy
Mr. Desmond Daubry – Civil Marriage
Mr. Christopher Sibebo – Introduction to the Bible
Sir Theodore Ezonfade, KSM – Life in Christ
Catechist James Orogun – Fundamental Catechesis.
CHALLENGES, PERSEVERANCE, AND THE MAIDEN CONVOCATION
The establishment of the School coincided with a period of severe economic hardship in the nation. Rising transportation costs, inflation, and widespread financial instability posed significant challenges to the students and lecturers. Despite these obstacles, many persevered with remarkable determination. Out of the 174 initial applicants, 100 students successfully completed their formation, emerging as certified Catechists, Marriage Counselors, and Deepeners of Faith.
However, 74 students were unable to complete the programme. Among them, 17 did not pass their examinations, 56 voluntarily withdrew due to financial and personal difficulties, and 1 was expelled for gross misconduct. Their stories remain interwoven with the School’s early history, offering lessons on the sacrifices demanded by discipleship and the realities of pastoral formation.
The maiden Convocation Mass was a moment of profound gratitude and joy for the Diocese. It marked the successful realization of a vision that began as a pastoral intuition or mustard seed and matured into a thriving institution dedicated to the mission of the Church. The celebration honored the resilience of the graduating students and reaffirmed the School’s commitment to forming missionary disciples for the evangelization of the world.
CONTINUING THE MISSION OF EVANGELIZATION
Today, the School of the Faith continues to grow as a centre of doctrinal excellence and missionary zeal. Its mission aligns with Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19 and is reinforced by Ad Gentes 2, which teaches that the Church is missionary by her very nature. In all its formation activities, the School remains dedicated to challenging the mind, forming the character, and nourishing the spirit.
Guided by its noble slogan—”School of the Faith, leading by faith”—the institution stands as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for evangelization within the Diocese of Bomadi and beyond. The foundations laid in its early years continue to shape its identity and propel its mission forward, ensuring that generations to come will inherit a living legacy of faith, knowledge, and missionary commitment.
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
On Wednesday, 26th November 2025, a formal handover of leadership of the School of the Faith was conducted by Fr. Preye Paul to Rev. Fr. Michael Ogbor. In response, Fr. Michael Ogbor delivered an acceptance speech, expressing profound gratitude to God and to the Bishop for deeming him worthy of this appointment. He affirmed his unwavering commitment to uphold and advance the high standards of the School.
The leadership transition has been carefully designed to ensure continuity, stability, and sustained growth. Fr. Michael, an erudite, visionary, and spiritually grounded priest, assumes the dual roles of President of the School and Chaplain to the Catechists, effective Wednesday, 26th November 2025.
Fr. Preye Paul earnestly requested that all staff, lecturers, students, and stakeholders extend to the new President the same cooperation, respect, and support that he had received during his tenure. He further emphasized that this handover transcends administrative formalities; it is a spiritual passage, symbolizing the entrusted responsibility of forming the next generation of committed evangelizers—men and women who will carry forth the Gospel with integrity, humility, and a passionate zeal for Christ.
