The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN),Archdiocese of Ibadan  will on Sunday 11th August, 2019 inaugurates the new executives that will mantle the leadership of the Renewal in Ibadan Archdiocese.

The inauguration for the elected leaders of the Renewal  will take place at the Good Shepherd Catholic  Church Parish Felele  in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the information received by CEOAFRICA  the inauguration will hold during the holy mass at the Church.

The newly elected executives will be inaugurated by the presiding Priest as they will promise before the congregation to remain faithful to their spirituality; put in place activities that would start, sustain and spread the fire of the Holy Spirit; foster mature and continuous personal conversion of souls  through Jesus Christ our Lord  and as well, abide by the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

The CCRN Ibadan Archdiocese led by its Chairman , Brother Matthew Ikokoh, Bro. Timothy Olasiyan Vice Chairman ; Bro. Dominic-Mary Okoliko, General Secretary; Assistant General Secretary, Sis Mary Akhaba, Sis. Beatrice Ohaeri, Treasurer; Sis. Ogo, Financial Secretary and Bro. Martins Onyema, Public Secretary calls on all Catholic faithful and well-wishers to enliven the memorable event.

Birthed by the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which started, February 1967 in Duquesne University, Pennsylvania, USA, with its Headquarter situated in Vatican City is a spiritual movement within the Catholic Church that incorporates aspects of both Catholic and Charismatic Movement practice. It has spread all over the world with a membership of about 115 million Catholics.

 The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria started by  the Dominican Order. In 1967 the novitiate at Ibadan was opened. By 1969, there were four American Dominicans in the house: Frs. Ed. Riley, Mathias Walsh, Bertrand Ebben and Br. Gilbert Thesing. Another American Dominican, Richard Farmer, was assigned as chaplain to the University of Ife, Ile-Ife.The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria owes its origin to the Dominican Order. Fr. Riley had the Baptism in the Holy Spirit when he went on home on leave in 1970. On returning to Nigeria, he gave a talk to the novices about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

The interest generated by that talk led to the decision to hold a Pentecost novena in 1971. The novena was concluded on the eve of Pentecost, and the participants, including Frs. Riley and Walsh, Sr. Maura, and Brothers Nonye, Calistus Iheme, Gilbert Thesing, Chukwubikem Okpechi, Clement Tyulen, Jude Mbukanma, John Ekekwe-Nwanze, prayed with one another on Sunday evening. There were no spectacular outcomes from that novena but a weekly prayer meeting followed. Before long, some individuals from outside the Dominican house started participating in the prayer meeting. Among the early lay people that joined the group were, Justina Odogwu, Fred Isichie, Pius Molokwu, Akin Otiko, and Mrs Chinwuba.

The growth of the group was facilitated with the two series of Life in the Spirit Seminars that were organized in 1973. Clear manifestations of charismatic gifts followed. It must be noted that the Prayer Group at the Dominican Institute in Ibadan, which adopted the name ‘Glory Bound Community’ became a watershed for the spread of the Renewal to parishes in and outside the present Archdiocese of Ibadan. Also significant in the history of the Renewal in Nigeria was the starting of a prayer group at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in October 1972.

It was discovered that, across the Country and in various provinces in Nigeria, CCRN has provided a supportive environment where biblical awareness, expectancy and experience are fostered. Apart from experiencing a rapid growth, her journey over the years has been dynamic. Across the country and in various provinces in Nigeria, the Renewal has become a significant movement in every parish and her spirituality help in formation of devoted and active Catholics.