By Linda Reeves - The Florida Catholic Palm Beach
Photographer: FILE
Father Parker Ogboe blesses a resident at Villa Maria Nursing Center in North Miami in this Catholic Health Services file photo from 2009. Pope Francis gave Father Ogboe the title of monsignor in August 2020.
NORTH MIAMI | Pope Francis has honored Father Parker Ogboe with the designation “Chaplain of His Holiness,” a recognition that comes with the title of monsignor.
“I was surprised,” said now Msgr. Ogboe, a priest of Nigeria’s Diocese of Issele-Uku who serves as director of pastoral care at Catholic Health Services’ St. Catherine's Rehabilitation Hospital and Villa Maria Nursing Center in North Miami.
“The chancellor from my diocese called and told me about it. I said, ‘are you kidding?’”
Photographer: FILE
Newly named Msgr. Parker Ogboe was ordained a priest in his native Nigeria in March 1979 and began working for Catholic Health Services in the Archdiocese of Miami in 2002.
Bishop Michael Odogwe Elue of Issele-Uku recommended Msgr. Ogboe for the papal honor. He is among five priests of the African diocese who received the title.
“We pray that God may continue to bless the Diocese of Issele-Uku and enable the new appointees to remain good examples of the priesthood to their younger colleagues and the society at large,” said Father John Bosco Ezeonwumelu, a representative of the diocese.
Msgr. Ogboe, 69, is celebrating 41 years of priesthood. He entered St. Paul Minor Seminary in Nigeria at age 18. He completed philosophy and theology studies at Sts. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, the University of Ibadan and the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and was ordained March 24, 1979.
In 1988, he came to the U.S. and enrolled at the University of Iowa to study guidance and counseling and education administration. He completed those studies in 1997, earning a master's in guidance and counseling and a doctorate in education administration.
In Nigeria, Msgr. Ogboe served as a pastor, youth minister, assistant principal and as diocesan chancellor. He says his role as a priest in the health care environment has been a great blessing. He served as chaplain at both St. Mary’s clinics and hospital in Nigeria. In Iowa, he was chaplain at Care Center in Lone Tree and chaplain for the University of Iowa’s clinics and hospital.
In 2002, he came to the Archdiocese of Miami and Catholic Health Services, working as chaplain at Villa Maria Nursing Center. Eight years ago, he was appointed to his current position, providing pastoral and spiritual care to patients, residents, staff and families.
“I like my work a lot,” he said. Quoting from Matthew 7:12, he said, “Do to others whatever you would have me do to you.”
Photographer: COURTESY
Father Parker Ogboe is seen here at left accompanying a family visiting their relative from behind the glass doors at Villa Maria Nursing Center in North Miami. The image was used in an August 2020 EWTN documentary on clergy ministering during the global pandemic. People in nursing homes are so vulnerable to COVID-19 that facilities throughout the U.S. have banned all visitors.
Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) presented a news item in August on clergy ministering during the global pandemic. Msgr. Ogboe was among the “essential workers” interviewed.
As the pandemic rages on, the clergy continue to minister to the sick and dying, celebrate Mass, hear confessions, distribute the Eucharist and give last rites to the dying. The ministers are also the ones visiting the vulnerable who have been isolated from loved ones since the pandemic began, as part of safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus.
EWTN talked with Msgr. Ogboe about his visits to the elderly, some without family. “They need someone,” he said. “It makes them feel happy. No one should be left alone.”
Sister Jill Bond, vice president of mission advancement for Catholic Health Services, commented on the EWTN clip.
“Father Parker's compassion and caring came through on the brief video,” she said. “He’s a very good man.”
