Rev Fr Benedict Ifeanyichukwu Udeogwu was born into the family of Late Emmanuel and Caroline Udeogwu of Amawa Village, Ogbunike (Oyi Local Government Area) four decades ago. He is the third of seven children.

      His formal education which started in the primary school in 1984 saw him through the secondary school in 1995. His vocation to the priesthood took him to All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, St Pius X Spiritual Year Seminary, Akwu-Ukwu, Pope John Paul II Seminary, Okpuno-Awka and Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary between 1995 and 2007. Ben was ordained a priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha on 14th July 2007 by the visiting Justin Cardinal Regali of the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, United States of America. His training for the priesthood as a seminarian took him to the following places for experience:

1. All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha (1996/1997)

2. St Peter Claver Parish, Otolo Nnewi (1998)

3. St Theresa’s Parish, Obosi (1999)

4. St Gregory’s Parish, Iyiowa Odekpe (2000)

5. St Gregory’s Parish, Ubahuekwem Ihiala (2001)

6. St Michael’s Parish, Fegge Onitsha (2002/2003)

7. St Anthony’s Parish, Nkpor (2004)

8. St Mary’s Parish, Nnokwa (2005)

9. St Vincent’s Parish, Ogbunike (2006)

In the course of his seventeen years ministry as a priest, Fr Ben has worked in the following places:

1. St Anthony’s Parish, Nkpor (Relieve duty, 2007)

2. Sacred Heart Parish, Odoakpu Onitsha (Relieve duty, 2007)

3. St Joseph’s Parish, Atani (Relieve duty, 2007)

4. St Charles Lwanga Parish, Okpoko (Relieve duty, 2007)

5. St. Jude’s Parish, Fegge Onitsha (Vicar, 2007-2009)

6. St Joseph’s Parish, Aguleri as Parish Vicar/Principal, Michael Tansi Memorial Secondary School (2009-2012)

7. St Mary’s Parish, Eziagulu-Otu (Parish Priest, 2012-2017)

8. St Anthony’s Parish, Igbariam (Parish Priest, 2017 to date)

Fr Benedict enjoys reading, writing and good music.