Nursing Is a Divine Calling That Brings Heaven Closer, Says Fr. Okonkwo
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna Okonkwo
By Polycarp Ifeanyi
The Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Borromeo-Shanahan University Teaching Hospital, Onitsha, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna Okonkwo, has described nursing as a noble and divine calling that brings heaven closer to those who practise the profession faithfully.
Fr. Okonkwo made this assertion while speaking to journalists after the ninth matriculation and capping ceremony of students of the College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo-Shanahan University Teaching Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State.
The ceremony, held at the college’s matriculation arena, began with a Holy Mass presided over by the proprietor of the college and Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke.
Fr. Okonkwo, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, fondly known as “Eze Udo” and renowned for his eloquence and oratory, gave glory to God for the remarkable growth of the college.
He expressed gratitude to the proprietor, Archbishop Okeke, as well as the management board, administrator, registrar, provost and the entire management team of the College of Nursing Sciences for their respective contributions to the institution’s development.
He noted that the college had made significant progress since its establishment in 2017 through the efforts and vision of Archbishop Okeke, adding that it had trained and graduated many competent nurses who were contributing to healthcare delivery.
“I wish all the students the best. They have been admonished both in the lecture hall and at the Holy Mass, and I advise them to do the right thing,” he said.
Speaking on what distinguishes nursing from other professions, Fr. Okonkwo emphasised the indispensable role nurses play in healthcare delivery, particularly their constant presence and commitment to patients throughout their periods of illness, recovery and, in some cases, their final moments.
“One thing unique to the nursing profession is that they are the ones who are always there when others have gone. When a patient is admitted, the nurse is there. When a patient is about to die, the nurse is there.
There is no one who has not directly or indirectly benefited from the services of a nurse within and outside the hospital. It is a great thing for one to choose to be a nurse,” he stated.
To underscore the spiritual significance of the profession, Fr. Okonkwo recalled a remark made by Archbishop Okeke during the National Convention of Catholic Nurses of Nigeria, hosted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha.
According to him, the Archbishop had warned that any nurse who failed to make heaven would have only themselves to blame, given the opportunities the profession offers to serve humanity and demonstrate Christian love.
Quoting from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 25, Fr. Okonkwo explained that caring for the sick and vulnerable was akin to serving Jesus Christ Himself.
“Jesus said to those on His right hand, ‘When I was admitted in the hospital, you cared for me.’ If caring for humanity is representing Jesus Christ in the hospital, heaven will be very close for nurses,” he said.
He further observed that nurses who remained committed to their professional responsibilities, both during their education and throughout their careers, would find fulfilment in their work and make meaningful contributions to society.
Advising the newly admitted students, Fr. Okonkwo urged them to prioritise faithfulness to their calling over the mere pursuit of worldly success, stressing that genuine commitment to their duties would ultimately lead to achievement and fulfilment.
“My advice to nurses is that aspiration to be a nurse should not be for one to be successful. It is for one to be faithful to the calling. If one is faithful to the calling, that person must definitely be successful. Those who seek to be successful as nurses may eventually lose it, but if one is faithful to the duties of a nurse, knowingly or unknowingly, such a person will be successful at the end of the day,” he stated.
He encouraged the students to approach their training with dedication, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, reminding them that nursing requires not only professional competence but also compassion, patience and selfless service to humanity.
Fr. Okonkwo also expressed appreciation to the parents and guardians who had sponsored their children and wards to study at the institution, as well as those who were willing to invest in their children’s education at the college.
He acknowledged their sacrifices and support, noting that their commitment to the education of the students would help prepare them for the demanding but rewarding responsibility of caring for the sick and promoting the well-being of society.
