On 16 July 2025, more than 35 people joined Father Thaddeus Osita Ike of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Glen Innes to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of his ordination as a priest, held at a lunch at the Railway Tavern. He has spent more than half his time as a priest in Australia.
Fr Thaddeus was ordained in the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha by Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha, Nigeria on 16 July 2005. He spent his first ten years as a priest in his homeland, Nigeria, before being asked to travel to NSW – an arrangement made between the Bishops of Onitsha and Armidale. His second decade as a priest has been spent in Australia in parishes across the New England in Gunnedah, Inverell, Warialda and since November 2023, Glen Innes. He is now an Australian citizen.
Moira Munro, Chair of St Patrick’s Parish Pastoral Council described Fr Thaddeus as “an unassuming and happy man, very aware of people’s needs especially the lonely, the sick, and the elderly”. Among parishioners at St Patrick’s, Thaddeus is also known for his sense of fun as well as his warm welcome to newcomers to Glen Innes and those who are interested in reigniting their spirituality.
When asked to comment on his twenty years serving communities in Africa and Australia, Fr Thaddeus simply replied “I have deep gratitude”.
