By Paschal Norbert
SANTA CLARA, NOVEMBER 29, 2024 (CISA) – In a profound recognition of his dedication to peacemaking and interfaith dialogue, Fr Agbonkhianmeghe E. (“Bator”) Orobator, SJ, dean of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (JST-SCU), has been honoured with The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation. Presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the award celebrates Fr Orobator’s “outstanding, Holy Spirit-inspired faithfulness, wisdom, and hope offered to the accomplishment of ecumenical peace-making in South Sudan.”
Fr Orobator’s work in South Sudan stands as a testament to his deep commitment to reconciliation and justice. In 2019, amidst a devastating civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives, Orobator co-designed and facilitated a retreat for opposing political leaders at the invitation of senior Anglican and Roman Catholic leaders. The retreat, held at Pope Francis’s Santa Marta residence in Vatican City, marked a pivotal moment in the pursuit of peace. Through a combination of liturgy, shared meals, open dialogue, and silence, the retreat created a sacred space for healing and understanding.
The retreat’s emotional climax came when Pope Francis knelt to kiss the feet of each leader, imploring them to work together for peace. Fr Orobator’s role as facilitator allowed the Holy Spirit to guide the participants, leading to what many South Sudanese and international observers consider a watershed moment in the country’s ongoing peace process. Reflecting on this impact, the award citation notes that “political leaders requested to sit together, alone, for the first time since violence had broken out.”
Following this landmark event, Fr Orobator remained deeply engaged in ecumenical efforts, providing spiritual and political counsel as leaders prepared for the Pilgrimage of Peace to South Sudan in 2023. His contributions were praised for their blend of “profound wisdom, deep political understanding, compelling spiritual encouragement, and unfailing hope.”
Fr Orobator’s influence extends far beyond South Sudan. As the immediate past president of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), former principal of Hekima University College (HUC) in Kenya, and provincial of the Jesuits’ Eastern Africa Province (AOR) , he has championed issues of peace, justice, and interfaith dialogue for decades.
Additionally, he serves as the director of the African Synodality Initiative (ASI), a vital program that played a key role in preparing the African Church for the recently concluded historic Synod on Synodality. Through webinars and workshops with theologians and church leaders, ASI has helped articulate the needs of local churches while fostering a deeper understanding of the Synodal process.
Now serving as dean of JST-SCU, Fr. Orobator continues to inspire students and scholars alike. His international acclaim as a theologian, speaker, researcher, and writer underscores his ability to bridge theological reflection with real-world impact. Reflecting on his ministry, the Archbishop of Canterbury described him as a source of “God’s grace, known through faith, action, and hope.”
The Hubert Walter Award
Established in 2016 by Archbishop Justin Welby, The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation recognizes extraordinary contributions to dialogue and peacebuilding. Named after Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1193 to 1205, the award features a scarab beetle motif, symbolizing resurrection-a fitting emblem for transformative peacemaking.
