Church in Nigeria Opens Door for Testimonies to Start Canonization Cause of Murdered Teen

Born in April 1995, Vivian received her First Holy Communion at St. Paul Parish of Benin City Archdiocese in March 2005. At the time of her death, she was in the preparatory class for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which was scheduled for 2010.

Vivian was the first President of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) which was inaugurated at St. Paul Parish in 2006.

According to VOM officials, Vivian learned about St. Mary Goretti at the HCA.

“She would continually retell the story of her favorite saint when she invited his companions to a life of faith and friendship with Jesus and instructed them on the value of virginity. With her heroic death, Vivian offered a concrete example of this teaching,” they say. 

They add that Vivian loved reading the Bible and asking for explanations from her Priests and teachers concerning the Social Teachings of the Church. 

More in Africa

Apostolic Nuncio Lauds Religious Institutes as “an invaluable component” of Church in South Sudan

Read the article

Her love for the Scriptures moved her to write her understanding of the Gospels, VOM officials say, adding that she was at chapter sixteen of the Gospel of St. Matthew by the time she was killed. 

In September 2019, the Edo State Government launched the Vivian Ogu Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide services for and support to survivors of sexual assault in Edo State, in honor of Vivian.

The Archdiocese of Benin City celebrates Memorial Day for Vivian Ogu on November 15 each year.

Every third Saturday of each month, children and teenagers from the Archdiocese of Benin City visit the Vivian Ogu Missionary Animation Centre to be animated to follow the footsteps of Vivian Ogu.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.