The Sweet Fragrance of a Beautiful Soul: A Brief Reflection on the life of Bishop Anthony O. Gbuji by Most Rev. Dr. William A. Avenya, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Gboko and Apostolic Administrator SedeVacante, Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, Benue State

Preamble is quite a difficult task having to write in such few words (as this piece requires) about someone whose many qualities can independently make volumes. Since my first encounter with this pious Bishop and elder brother, Anthony Okonkwo Gbuji over thirty-five years ago, I have always admired him on many counts. In the last twelve years, when the episcopal ministry has brought me closer to him, I have come to know and appreciate even more of his premium qualities.

The Sweet Fragrance of a Beautiful Soul One of those outstanding qualities is his deep love for humanity. This love, which reflects outstandingly in his untiring, unrestricted and sacrificial charity, is so fundamentally embedded in his personality that his identity becomes almost synonymous with it. Those who know him closely can attest to this truth. There is an uncommon blend of premium qualities in Bishop Anthony Gbuji. For some reason, certain qualities do not readily blend together. Hence, it is common, for instance, to find highly intelligent and or creative people to be arrogant and proud for whatever reason. This is not the case with Bishop Gbuji.

On the contrary, he understands that each gift is a blessing from God (James 1:17) and that the real value of it requires the possessor to use it to the glory of God and the good of the society and those who live in it. Appreciating the Pauline exhortation to fan every gift into flame (2Timothy 1:6-7), Bishop Anthony, even as a young seminarian, clearly distinguished himself in this respect. It is no surprise then, that his promising qualities were soon acknowledged when in 1955, he was sent to Rome where he completed his seminary formation and was ordained a priest.

This exposure enabled him to further develop those potentials which would later live his pastoral and administrative responsibilities as a priest and Bishop to the glory of God and the good of the people of God. After his priestly ordination, he expectedly applied his personality, learning and experience and his responsibilities in the most excellent way possible. Everywhere he went, he produced results. The litany of responsibilities he held as a priest constitutes enough evidence to this truth. With such an admirable antecedent, it was not surprising when, in 1973, he was appointed Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Issele Uku.

 But even under the weight of the higher and more demanding responsibility of the Bishopric, with all the challenges associated with pioneering, Bishop Gbuji continued to sustain his already proven agility. In fact, the episcopal office became for him an opportunity to widen and deepen his impact, not as an act of conscious and deliberate presentation, but as a natural consequence of a truly refined human being, a good Christian, a graceful soul and a committed clergyman.

Indeed, during these sixty-three years as a priest (and forty-eight as a bishop), the wise and discreet Bishop Gbuji has poured out himself generously in ardent service to God and humanity. Seasoned by apostolic passion and legendary commitment, his enduring footprints in all the dioceses he has rendered service bear an eloquent witness to his pastoral fervour and leadership prowess.

As the Bishop of Issele-Uku (1973-1997), with only eight priests and eight parishes as at assumption of office, he groomed the virgin’ mission territory into a vibrant local church. This is only possible with assiduous commitment and unwavering zeal for souls as in the case of Bishop Gbuji. As the Bishop of Enugu (1997-2009) and Apostolic Administrator of Benin City (2010-2011), the tale has been the same: commitment, excellence, rectitude. admirably, admirably, in all these responsibilities, he proved outstanding with an enviable sense of creativity and vision and a commendable touch of distinction. An insatiable academician, a learned fellow, a seasoned canon lawyer and a compassionate Christian, Bishop Gbuji has demonstrated a true integration of scholarship and humanity in the service of God as his constantly available and impressive tool for his outreach to the people.

Indeed, his life is a flavour to all who have met him. Looking at the saintly Bishop and his approach to life, one finds a fellow who directly contradicts common conventional standards. Aside of his several good qualities, many of the responsibilities he has held naturally brought him face to face with power and authority, which are easy slides into selfabsorption and class distinction.

Yet, in all his orandeur, Bishop Gbuji has continued to remain who he essentially is: an embodiment of humility, simplicity and charity, with an open disposition and a matching ability to relate with people across the board. As I join his numerous family of collaborators and friends to celebrate him on this remarkable occasion of his ninetieth birthday, I commend him to the constant maternal solicitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary and pray God to continue to accompany him closely, strengthen him firmly, protect him powerfully and reward him richly, here and after.