VERY REV. FR JOHN ANOSIKE

      A pioneer, devout couple, Chief Sylvester Anosike, Akuchukwu and his wife Veronica, from Mkpazueziama village, Ideani, Idemmili North LGA Anambra State, was blessed with a fifth child and second son on 4th August, 1955. In appreciation for this favour, the baby’s happy parents named him Chukwuemeka (God has done it). Few weeks later, at Baptism, baby Chukwuemeka received another name, John (after the beloved Apostle of Christ and the Patron Saint of parish priests St John Mary Vianney).
      The lad Chukwuemeka John showed early in life a great potential and disposition to receive and retain training. He received his primary education at St Paul’s Primary School, Ideani, and completed it in 1966. During the period of his primary education, John Emeka Anosike was very often referred to as ‘Pope John’ by many pupils and teachers in the school. Hence true to prediction, in 1967, John gained admission in the famous All Hallows Seminary Onitsha. His formation at this institution was interrupted by the Biafra-Nigerian war. The three years that it lasted did not dampen his enthusiasm or divert his attention from his priestly vocation. In 1970, John went back to the same institution and completed his course in 1974. He did his apostolic work (a period of ‘industrial training’ and self-assessment for a seminarian) in 1975. John Emeka Anosike even further testing his call to the priesthood broke off his Seminary training and worked first of all as a clerk with the Nigerian Bottling Company, Enugu and then briefly with the then Barclays Bank, Garden Avenue, Enugu. After this brief secular experience, still very focused and undaunted, the youthful John continued his quest for holy life through the realization of his priestly vocation. He advanced to the noble Provincial Major Seminary, Bigard Memorial Seminary. From January 1977 to October 1980, he studied at the Ikot Ekpene campus of the institution and got his Bachelor of Philosophy.
      His theological studies lasted for another four years at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Faculty of Theology, Enugu. He rounded off his theological studies yet with another degree in theology – Bachelor of Theology. Both degrees are certificates of Pontifical Urban University, Rome.
      Having fulfilled all necessary requirements in both character and learning, Rev. John Chukwuemeka Anosike was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church on 30th June, 1984, by the then Archbishop of Onitsha, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze. After five years of priestly apostolate, the Archdiocesan Authorities further discovered the potentials in Rev. Fr John Emeka Anosike and then sent him on a mission to Cameroun in 1989. After one year missionary work in Cameroun, he was sent on further studies to Germany in the year 1990.
      Rev. Fr Anosike’s destination for studies was Universität Bonn, Germany. From this citadel of learning he bagged a diploma in French language, diploma in German language and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with specialization in Moral Theology in the year 2000.
      Since his priestly ordination in June, 1984 to date, Rev. Fr Dr John Emeka Anosike held many pastoral positions both in Nigeria and Overseas. Appointments held since after ordination:
1984-1986 Vicar, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha
1984-1989 Secretary, Archdiocesan Father’s Plenary Meeting
1984-1989 Notary, Onitsha Archdiocesan Marriage Tribunal
1984-1989 Secretary, Blessed Iwene Tansi canonization process
1986-1989 Parish Priest, Our Lady’s Parish, Umuoji
1989-1990 On mission, St Paul’s Seminary, Nylon, Cameroun.
1990-1991 Vicar, St Maria Geburt, Stammheim Germany
1990-2000 Vicar, St Theresia, Buchheim, Cologne, Germany
1990-2000 Vicar, St Mauritius Buchheim, Cologne, Germany.
1990-2000 Vicar, St Petrus Canisius, Buchforst, Germany
2001-2006 Member, Onitsha Archdiocesan Curia
2001-2006 Secretary, Archdiocesan College of Consultors
2001-2006 Secretary, Onitsha Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council
2001-2006 Onitsha Archdiocesan Chancellor & Secretary