About Me

 I am Rev. Bekeh Ukelina Utietiang, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, United States. I was born December 4, 1978 in Cross River State, Nigeria. By the way, Nigeria is a country in Africa and Africa is a continent with many countries.

I am from a big Catholic family. We are ten. There are four boys and six girls. The most painful fact about my family is that we lost a brother and a sister to accidents. Both are resting with the Lord and we all hope to join them some day. My parents are caring and loving. Faith is very important to them. Daily Mass for them is part of the daily routine. We all grew up attending Mass daily or weekly and praying the rosary as a family daily. I credit the Blessed Virgin Mary and my family for my vocation. My parents are greatful to God that I am a priest and they do all they can to support my vocation.

I have attended many schools. Most of them are Catholic schools. The last few I attended are: Claretian Institute of Philosophy, Maryland – Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Dominican University, Ibadan, Nigeria; and, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. All those are colleges. I did go to elementary school. I went to Holy Child Primary School, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria and St. Charles’ Primary School, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria. If it is not obvious already, I am a big supporter of Catholic schools.

Am sure you are interested in my ideological leanings. I call myself a “Consliberal.” I hate labels. I do not fit into any of the definitions of conservative and liberal. Some of my friends think I am conservative because I believe in vouchers, merit based pay, and am prolife. Others think I am liberal because I believe in gun control, universal healthcare, and fines for carbon emissions. I think a “consliberal” is someone who believes in commonsense solutions. I deal with every issue in its merit and apply my God given “commonsense.”

My homilies are my simple reflections on my faith as I understand it from the scriptures. They are not meant to be theological treatises. I share them with you in faith and one thing I ask of you is to receive them in faith.

Thanks.