(Lagos, Nigeria) The Redemptorist community at Ligouri House, Ibadan, Oyo State celebrated the 93rd birthday of a great missionary Fr. Richard Williams Thiele C.Ss.R on the 14th of September. Fr. Thiele was born on 17th September 1927 in the United State of America. He has his first profession of vows on the 1st August 1949, was finally professed in 1952, ordained a deacon on 24th July 1954, and was ordained a Catholic priest on 29th July 1954. Fr. Thiele spent two years of his priestly ministry in the United State of America, after which he was commissioned to Thailand, Bangkok in 1956 and worked as a missionary there for 36 years. In 1992, he was missioned to Nigeria as Novice director (1992-2006) and since then has been working in Nigeria for 28 years now. Fr. Thiele a man burning with zeal, an exceptional icon, and an exemplary Redemptorist has lived 71 years as a Religious, 66 years as a Redemptorist priest and he is now 93 years of age.
On Monday 14th September 2020, His Grace Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan and a good friend of Fr. Thiele came to celebrate with him. This occasion took place at the Redemptorist Spirituality Centre (Ligouri House), Km 8 New Ife road, Kulodi Village Egbeda, Ibadan, Oyo State. The Vice Provincial Superior, Fr. Joterio Aghoja C.Ss.R with the OVPC members (Fr. Jude Anyaegbu C.Ss.R and Fr. Hillary Pamkatai C.Ss.R ) with other Redemptorist priests, diocesan priests, and religious priests and sister and brothers were all present for this occasion. The thanksgiving Mass to commemoration his 93rd birthday started at 4:00 pm at the Liguori House Chapel and ended with a fellowship meal at the Liguori House Refectory.
Hyacinth Agomuoh C.Ss.R.
