Pope approves early ordination for seminarian with leukemia

Bishop Libanori ordains Fr Livinus Esomchi Nnamani

Source: Vatican News

A young Nigerian religious, Livinius Esomchi Nnamani, who has leukemia, has been ordained to the Catholic priesthood early with the approval of Pope Francis.

Fr Livinius, who is now 31, wrote to the Holy Father asking whether his ordination could be moved forward. His wish was granted on 1 April when Bishop Daniele Libanori, an Auxiliary bishop of Rome, ordained Livinius at the Presidio Sanitario Medica Group Casilino Hospital in Rome.

Fr Livinius began his vocation journey in Owerri, Imo state, in Southeastern Nigeria, when he entered the Order of the Mother of God, at the age of 20.

Shortly after his first vows, he was diagnosed with leukemia and went through several years of therapies and treatments. Two years ago, he was sent to Italy in search of better healthcare and to continue his studies.

In spite of having to have gruelling transfusions and targeted treatments, Livinius continued his studies at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, better known as the Angelicum, and made his final vows last September.

As his condition continued to deteriorate he started to spend longer periods in hospital, and his hopes for completing his studies for the priesthood began to look more uncertain.

Consequently, Livinius made the decision to write to Pope Francis, asking him to bring forward his ordination. The reply came quickly on 31 March: Pope Francis gave his permission. The following day, Livinius was ordained a priest.

Bishop Libanori said during his homily, " With this gift, God the Father wants to sustain you so that you can fully live the trial to which he called you."

"As a priest, you will be joined with Jesus to make your body an offering pleasing to God. Our priesthood, indeed, reaches its peak when together with the bread and wine, we know how to offer all of ourselves, the things the Lord has given us, and our very lives."

Fr Livinius has begun his priestly ministry at the Casilino hospital, where he gives his blessing to the doctors and nurses who care for him and other patients on a daily basis.

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