08.09.2026
A Call Heard Through Others – The Revd Cennis Chikezie Reflects on Call to Ordination
In June 2026 two new Deacons were ordained to serve in Dublin and Glendalough. The Revd Cennis Chikezie is serving as Curate Assistant in the Parishes of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla with the Revd Colin McConaghie. The Revd Esther Simpson is serving as Curate Assistant in Rathmichael Parish with the Revd Sean Hanily. Here, in the early days of his curacy, Revd Cennis reflects on his call to ordination and his hopes for his new ministry. You can also read Revd Esther’s story on our website.
When I look back on my journey to ordained ministry, I can’t help but be amazed by God’s patience.
My calling did not start here in Ireland, and I certainly did not respond to it immediately. It unfolded over many years, across two countries, and through people who often seemed to recognise God’s call on my life long before I was ready to acknowledge it myself.
In this way, the biblical story of Samuel resonates deeply with me. Samuel heard God calling his name, but at first, he didn’t quite understand who was calling. Eli helped him recognise that divine voice.
My own journey has taught me something similar: while vocation is a deeply personal experience, it is not always something we can figure out on our own. God often uses others to help us discern his call.
I grew up in Nigeria in a family with generations of Anglican faith and tradition. Christian faith was therefore an important part of my life from an early age. It was during my college years that the possibility of God calling me to Anglican ministry first emerged. After college, an Anglican priest, who was an archdeacon at the time, discerned that calling again and encouraged me to consider ordained ministry. But I was not ready. I had other plans for my life and chose a different path. Yet the call did not disappear.
After coming to Ireland, ministers in places where I worshipped continued to recognise it. A pivotal moment came when an Irish Catholic priest approached me and spoke very clearly about God’s call on my life. He encouraged me to return to the vocation I had resisted and helped guide me towards answering it.
My family and I later found our spiritual home in the Church of Ireland. The Dean of the cathedral where we worshipped took me under his wing, offering guidance and support. He recognised my vocation, mentored me and recommended me for ordination, with the approval of the diocesan bishop. This journey of discernment eventually led me to the Church of Ireland Theological Institute (CITI) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD), where I pursued a Master of Theology (MTh) in preparation for ordination.
Michael Ramsey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, once described “call” as one of the great words in the Bible, and looking back, I can see why. God’s call was deeply personal, but I did not navigate it alone. Time and again, God placed remarkable people along my path who helped me recognise the voice I had struggled to hear.
My time in theological formation was profoundly enriching. My MTh dissertation, ‘Hospitality and Welcome for Migrants in the Church of Ireland: A Focus on Ukrainian Refugees’, explored themes that resonate deeply with me: hospitality, belonging, and creating communities where everyone feels welcomed and valued.
My background in education and health and social care, particularly in residential and homeless services, has also shaped my understanding of ministry. Those experiences taught me the importance of listening, being present with others, and recognising the dignity of every individual.
My ordination on 21 June 2026 also marked two significant milestones. At my ordination, it was noted that I had become the first Nigerian to be ordained to the priesthood in the Church of Ireland. During my theological training, a bishop had also noted that I was the first African to complete the MTh route through the Church of Ireland Theological Institute and Trinity College Dublin in preparation for ordination. I receive these milestones with gratitude and humility, fully conscious of the many people who have encouraged, supported and prayed for me throughout this journey.
There is something particularly meaningful about now serving as curate in Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla. I first came to the parish on placement during my first year of theological training and experienced its warmth, openness and strong sense of community. Little did I know back then that I would return after my ordination to serve in a parish that had already played a part in my formation.
As I begin ordained ministry, my hope is quite straightforward: to serve God and God’s people faithfully; to walk alongside people through the joys and difficulties of ordinary life; to proclaim Jesus Christ in ways that are faithful, clear and relevant; and to help nurture a Church where everyone feels seen, heard, welcomed and valued.
Reflecting on my journey, I realise that God’s calling was there long before I was ready to answer. I am grateful for those who, like Eli with Samuel, helped me recognise that calling along the way. Now, as I begin this new chapter of ordained ministry, Samuel’s words have become a prayer for my own ministry: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
The Reverend Cennis Chikezie
Curate Assistant Parishes of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla