Father Lawrence is from Owerri, Nigeria. He was raised by his parents in Abuja, Nigeria, alongside his two sisters and one brother. While his family still lives in Nigeria, Fr. Lawrence came to Wisconsin in 2015.  His background is rooted in, in his words, “a home filled with dad’s discipline, and exemplary faith,” with that strong faith modeled by both of his parents.

He reveals he had wanted to be a priest since he was seven years old. “I have always wanted to serve the Lord and his people as a priest; I was surrounded by great priests and religious growing up. I was one of those altar servers who would secretly try Father’s vestment and play a priest with my imaginary congregation. As God would have it, after high school, I joined the seminary in Nigeria, and for four years, I studied at the Dominican house of studies in Nigeria.”

He previously worked with Fr. Bart in Madison, and most recently has served in Evansville and Footville. He adds, “I look forward to loving you and serving you during this time of renewal in our diocese.”