Veronica Openibo (born January 17, 1951) is a Nigerian religious sister and the Superior General of the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus.[1]
Life
editVeronica Openibo was born on January 17, 1951, in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] She grew up as the second of twelve children in a devout Catholic family.
She joined the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus in September 1973. In 1975, she made her first religious vows and continued her studies.[1] Veronica graduated in English in 1979 and pursued further religious studies in Jos.[1]
When the African province of the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus was established, Veronica became its first African president, serving from 1986 to 1992.[1]
From 2001 to 2010, Veronica played a role in the formation of her Nigerian community and served as a teacher of trainers in Jos. She also organized and hosted conferences on affectivity and sexual education.[2] One of her main focuses is raising awareness about the suffering of women subjected to male domination.[2]
In 2010, Veronica was elected as the superior general of her congregation, marking a significant milestone in her career. She was re-elected to serve a second six-year term in 2016.[1][3] Currently based in the mother house of her community in Rome, Veronica leads alongside six other sisters.[1]
Advocacy for transparency and truth
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Céline Hoyeau (4 December 2019). "Sœur Veronica Openibo : " La vérité des femmes doit être écoutée " – Ses dates". La Croix (in French). Retrieved 3 September 2023..
- 1 2 Kathleen McGarvey (2009). Muslim and Christian Women in Dialogue: The Case of Northern Nigeria. Peter Lang. p. 242. ISBN 978-3039114177. ISSN 1422-8998. Retrieved 3 September 2023..
- ↑ "Veronica Openibo, leader of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, visits Oak Knoll". NJ Independent Press. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2023..
- ↑ "Abus: une religieuse nigériane appelle à passer "du scandale à la vérité"". vaticannews.va (in French). 23 February 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ↑ Lucie Sarr (14 January 2021). "10 femmes qui ont marqué l'Église en Afrique ces dernières années : 1. Sœur Veronica Openibo". africa.la-croix.com (in French). La Croix Africa. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ↑ Christopher Lamb. "Nigerian sister urges bishops to face up to abuse". The Tablet. Archived from the original on 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ↑ Michael J. O'Loughlin (2019-02-23). "Nigerian sister asks bishops: Why did the church allow atrocities of sex abuse to remain secret?". America Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-10.