Former Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, has passed away.
Archbishop Anikwenwa passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023. He was the former archbishop of Province II and retired bishop of the Awka Diocese, Church of Nigeria.
The Most Rev’d Maxwell Anikwenwa, the former Dean of the Church of Nigeria was called to glory today, Monday, March 13, 2023, according to a statement by the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria.
“Archbishop Anikwenwa was the former Archbishop of Province II and the Retired Bishop of Awka Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
“May God comfort his family, the Diocese of Awka, Province of the Niger, and the Church of Nigeria as a whole and grant him eternal rest. Shalom!”
The Anambra State native Archibishop Anikwenwa was born on Friday, November 22, 1940, in Awkwuzu in the Oyi Local Government Area (LGA).
He attended the University of Sierra Leone, Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, Fourah Bay College, St. Mark’s Teachers College, and Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha.
School of Ecumenical Studies graduate, Anikwenwa. Cuddeson, Oxford, Geneva, and Ripon College.
West African School Certificate (WASC) 1959, Teacher’s Grade Two Certificate (TC2) 1961, Diploma in Theology London (DIPTIL) 1966, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy 1972, PGD Ecumenism 1973, and Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1975 are among his credentials.
He was ordained a dean at All Saints Cathedral in Onitsha in 1966 and then appointed priest, chaplain, assistant priest, and assistant priest at Philip’s Patten Street, Free Town, and All Saints Kissy Road. He was seconded as chaplain to The Archbishop of West Africa from 1966 to 1969.
Also, he was named Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church in Onitsha in 1976 and 1987. Anikwenwa was chosen to be a canon of All Saints Cathedral Onitsha in 1976, synod secretary from 1975 to 1986 for the diocese of the Niger, secretary from 1986 to 1987, and diocese of Awka diocesan bishop from 1987 to the present.
He was elected Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in 2000, Archbishop of Province 11 in 2001, and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Anambra State.
Archbishop Anikwenwa was regarded as a symbol of justice, fairness, and open honesty.
Having obtained his ministerial training at a young age, His Grace, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa is a Giant in the priesthood and his pastoral calling in general. despite having traveled much and seen life’s various comforts, he remained unwavering in his commitment to his pastoral calling.
When the situation called for it, he had always stood tall and resolutely advocated the cause of the oppressed and less fortunate as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Anambra Stale.