Vatican, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The great news exploded and spread like a wild fire. But this time, like the fire of Divine Love, which, from the beginning of the life of the Congregation of the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Claretian Missionaries, was a principal propelling factor to Padre Anthony Mary Claret, the audacious Holy Father Founder of the Claretian Congregation in his mission objectives and dreams.
It was like the entire populace anticipated the news. Pope Leo XIV appointed Very Revd Fr Prof. Wenceslaus Madu, CMF, member of the highest-ranking Vatican Dicastery for Evangelisation (Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches). As a Consultor to the Dicastery, Fr Madu, backed by a sublime curriculum vitae is expected to provide expert and technical guidance on global missionary and evangelisation initiatives. He is expected to make credible pastoral analysis to ensure that the Pope and the Dicastery’s leadership make informed and culturally sensitive decisions.
As an astute researcher, animated biochemist, universal educator, untiring global promoter of the Consecrated Life, a pastor close to people’s heart, a two-term Provincial Superior of the Nigerian Province (one of the largest Organisms of the Claretian Congregation), the Founder and Vice Chancellor of the high-flying Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Fr Wence, as he is lovely called, is bringing on board a retinue of unquantifiable resourcefulness. The harvest is nearly overflowing. Thus, with him, the Church can never lack when it comes to Analysing Complex Theological/Canonical Matters, Evaluating Regional Evangelisation, Reviewing Educational Texts, Drafting Advisory Opinions, Developing Global Initiatives, Preparing Synodal Agendas, and sundry Preparations for Decision-Making in the Vatican’s global missionary mandates.
This appointment of Very Revd Fr. Prof. Wenceslaus Madu, CMF, by the Supreme Pontiff serves a proud, yet, humble moment for the Claretian Missionaries everywhere in the world, the loving faithful Christians in Nigeria and Africa, and surely, a moment of grace for the men and women of the Consecrated Life (the Religious). There is no doubt that it is a divine call to service which firmly and unambiguously took very eminent recognition of the young Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, Owerri.
Our dear Fr Wence, we commit you to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the ever-saintly direction of Padre Claret.