Deacon Eze Ugoala is one of the three candidates who were ordained as permanent deacons for the Westminster Diocese on 6th July, 2024 by the Most Rev. James Curry at Westminster Cathedral. The ceremony was well attended by clergy and religious, families and friends, and parishioners of the three deacons. We profoundly thank, Deacon Eze, for responding to the call of God to serve Him in the midst of His people.
Deacon Eze, was born in Nigeria, and attended primary school, first in Lagos, and then later in Eastern Nigeria. Following the outbreak of civil war, he came to the UK with his siblings, and the family lived in Archway, where his youngest siblings (twins) were born.
He then attended primary schools in Highgate, then St William of York (a Catholic secondary school in Islington that has since closed.) – where he soon learned that you should not attend that school and not support Arsenal football club – and being contrary – he watched the football results one Saturday, to randomly pick a team to support!
Eze then attended Imperial College, where he received a degree in physics and a PhD in Plasma Physics, then worked in research, as a teacher and in IT – and also found time before graduation to be blessed to marry his amazing wife Jackie, with Bishop Victor Guazzelli conducting the wedding on New Year’s Day in 1984. They have 4 equally amazing sons: Chi (who now has 3 children of his own), Alaeze, Obi and Onyedikachi.
Then 4 years ago, during the pandemic, he recognised what had been seen earlier by his wife, Jackie, and Fr. Gideon, our parish priest, that Our Lord was likely calling him into a vocation as a permanent deacon in the Church. So, following that first year (4 years ago!) a year full of discernment, prayer and assessment, Eze was accepted by the Cardinal as a candidate for ordination into the permanent diaconate, and started the academic period of formation centred at St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, where after 2 years he received a Distinction in the Foundation Degree in Pastoral Theology. Following his ordination on 6th July 2024, Deacon Eze’s studies will continue for his MA in Catholic Social Teaching.
The whole community receives the news of his ordination with joy and welcomes him wholeheartedly and looks forward to enjoying his ministry in our midst. We pray for you so that, as Bishop James Curry in his homily said, you and your colleague deacons “may be faithful and joyful heralds of the gospel of life in all you say, do and are – always!” May God be your strength in your resolve, and be assured of our prayerful support for you always.
CONGRATULATIONS, REV. EZE!!! We are proud of you!