In the course of my priestly ministry few years ago at Christ the King
Catholic Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos, I acquired the sobriquet, “Father Swagger.”
I was wont to encourage the warm and friendly parishioners to "ginger [their] swagger
for Jesus.” If you heard Nigeria's bell-ringing hip-hop artiste, Terry G, in that phrase, you’re right. Why not. After all, God
does move in mysterious ways.
Some people wonder what a priest like me is doing associating himself
with swag and popular (if not street) culture. Well if they knew where I’m
coming from, they’d understand the why of the association.
First, I’m a Jesuit. And Jesuits find God in all things. As one wise
Jesuit once wrote: Jesuits are in the show business showing off for Jesus. Bill O’Malley was writing about his brother Jesuits engaged with the world and working in the media,
theater, and cinema. A prolific author of more than 40 books, Father O’Malley is best
known for playing the role of Father Dyer in the 1973 blockbuster film, The
Exorcist. He is said to be the first Catholic priest to portray a priest in
a commercial movie.
