Returning to Nigeria, two priests leaving the diocese

The Diocese of Tucson is losing two priests due to the backlog surrounding R-1 visas.  Reverend Ukeyima Emmanuel Adams and Reverend Iorlumun Emmanuel Tamen, commonly known as Father Adams and Father Emmanuel, respectively, are returning to Nigeria in December. Both priests have been in Southern Arizona classified as religious workers. The two priests are members of the Via Christi Society.  

The two priests expected to apply for EB-4 green cards which would have led to permanent residency, however, the backlogs are now up to 15 years. Anna Gallardo the Chancellor for the Diocese of Tucson explained that retrogression combined with an annual cap of 10,000 visas means most priests cannot adjust their status before their R-1 limit expires. Retrogression essentially means that there are currently more applicants than available visas. It’s widely reported that court dates have been moved to curtail demand. Processing applications for both priests has been delayed at least a year, as a result both will need to leave the United States while waiting for a green card to become available. Gallardo said at the diocesan level there are no other options, “This forces them to leave, disrupting parish life and community services.  We reached out to Senator (Mark) Kelly's office for assistance only to be told there is nothing more that can be done at this time.” 

Father Adams and Father Emmanuel will return to Nigeria in early December. Father Adams is currently serving in Kearny while Father Emmanuel is in Yuma. Though replacements for the two priests have not been named we pray that the Holy Spirit continue to guide and bless the Diocese of Tucson. Upon learning of their impending departure the New Outlook contacted both priests.  

In his own words, Father Tamen shared the following: My name is Fr Iorlumun Emmanuel Tamen, VC. I was born into a family of six with two sisters and three brothers, myself being the eldest. My dad passed in 2011 while my mum and my siblings are in Nigeria. I was ordained a Catholic priest for the Via Christi Society on September 1st, 2018, in Makurdi, Nigeria by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. I worked in the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria for three years and was sent to the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona in July 2021. I arrived at the Diocese of Tucson, and after a few days of orientation at the Chancery, I was assigned to St John Neumann's Parish Yuma, Arizona as parochial vicar where I have worked for more than 4 years of my stay in the Diocese of Tucson. Looking back, I remember the more than 3 hours drive to Yuma with many thoughts running through my mind. Thoughts of what life would be like, fitting into the culture and starting life in a new place far from home. Thanks to my fellow Nigerian brother priests and the good people of my parish who made the transition easy for me to settle in fast. 

Yuma has been my home for more than four years and I will say that it is a vibrant town with a rich history. Located around the southwestern corner of Arizona, it is one of the sunniest places around the world with over 320 days of sunshine per year. Making summers scorching hot, though not humid while winters are mild with not much rain. Thus, making Yuma a popular winter destination. Lots of agricultural activities take place here earning the town the title, "Winter Lettuce Capital of the World." With the Colorado river, lots of outdoor fun activities are carried out such as boating, fishing and water sports. The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge provides a haven for nature enthusiasts. There are historic sites around Yuma: The Territorial Prison, Ghost Town, Ocean to Ocean Bridge etc. Yuma is known for its serenity, hospitality, and good dishes some which I have loved include menudo, carne asada, pollo asado, beef or chicken tamales with spicy salsa. Yuma is not heavily populated so there is not a heavy traffic flow on the roads and no parking fees at the shopping malls or other places like in bigger cities. 

 I reported at St John Neumann's Parish Yuma on Saturday the 13th of August 2021. It is a big Church and a parish community comprising of both English and Spanish speaking communities. I would say, this is a faith-filled community made up of elderly people and seasonal winter visitors who really are a source of inspiration to me. Here, I have had the privilege of working under two remarkable pastors, Rev. Fr George Holley and Rev. Fr John Gonzales, each offered a unique style of leadership and together provided me with invaluable guidance, support, and opportunities for growth. Under them I have learned, grown, and discovered new depths of pastoral service and for these I remain grateful. I had the honor of spending many spiritual moments with Father John Friel before he went with our Lord. I learned what it was to be a Navy chaplain, to serve those aboard a Navy ship carrying out God’s mission among those who serve this great nation.  

My time in the Diocese of Tucson and Yuma have also provided me with the opportunity to work at the Marine Base in MCAS Yuma as a contract chaplain serving the spiritual needs of both active duty and retired service members where I continued the revival of Eucharistic Procession and Adoration once every month and influenced the recitation of the Holy Rosary before Sunday Mass. Serving the service members is one of the joys and blessing of my ministry. I could see in the service members, whether active duty or retired, people of deep faith; a faith that is steady, disciplined, and sincere. They come to prayer with the same devotion they once brought to service, strong, humble, and committed. They also inspire me, as I see them as a community that prays with courage and beliefs, people who have seen much and still choose to hope in this world.  

 One of the great gifts of my years in the United States and the Diocese of Tucson has been the opportunity to learn and integrate myself into a new culture, experiencing the beauty and richness of a community different from my own. Through it all, these experiences have strengthened my priesthood, broadened my understanding of people, and deepened my appreciation for God's grace at work in every path He leads us on.  

These years have been filled with bitter-sweet moments. On the one hand, there is the deep joy of carrying out my ministry and seeing the people I serve respond with gratitude, love, and openness. On the other hand, there is the quiet ache that comes from being away from home. The thought of returning brings its own sweetness of reuniting with family, friends, and acquaintances, even if only for a time, as home will always remain home, with all the warmth and belonging it carries. 

Yet beneath this joy lies a heavy concern. The violence against Christians in Nigeria especially in the Middle Belt, where I will be returning, casts a long and painful shadow. It is heartbreaking to hear and watch the ongoing killings, and even more distressing to see the silence and denial of a government whose first duty should be to protect its people. The fear is real, because the tragedies that have befallen so many innocent Christians can happen to anyone. Many people have become victims of circumstances beyond their control; some are attacked in churches, their homes, school children abducted in their schools, people killed on their farms, and others ambushed on roads where they once travelled freely. It is so terrifying to see innocent children, women and men butchered, shot at, or burnt to death while sleeping in their homes. Sometimes I imagine myself being a victim and falling into the hands of such evil men maybe either in the rectory or while traveling on the road! This reality troubles me deeply. The knowledge that I cannot safely journey from one part of my own country to another weighs heavily on my spirit. The thoughts of all these brings back memories of the killings of Christians I saw years back when in elementary school in the far Northern State of Jos, Plateau State. When for days and weeks we had to hide in our home for safety.  

 And yet, with faith as my anchor, I continue to trust God for protection, strength, and courage as I return home to serve His people amid these challenges.  

 I will miss the faithful people of St. John Neumann's Parish Yuma more than words can fully express and the good people of St Micheal the Archangel's Chaplaincy Marine Base MCAS Yuma. Over the years, your kindness, your faith, and your steadfast love for God have deeply touched my heart. Please know that I will always carry you with me in memory, in affection, and especially in my prayers. I will also no doubt miss the priests and the good people of Tucson remembering the wonderful moments at retreats, convocations, priest's on-going formations, mentoring programs, and vicariate meetings. 

 As I return home to wait for my green card, I may be absent physically, but spiritually we are still united. The beauty of our Catholic faith is that we are always one in prayer, one in spirit, and one in the Body of Christ. 

 I ask you, please remember your priest in your personal prayers, continue to pray for an end to the persecution in Nigeria. Just as I will continually lift each one of you before God. Though the distance may grow, our bond in Christ will never fade. We are still one holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church always connected, always united.

In his own words, Father Adams shared the following: For four years and five months, I have walked the path of priesthood with quiet strength and a heart anchored deeply in faith. My journey, marked by devotion, service, and unwavering trust in God’s providence, has carried me far from my beginnings to the warm desert landscapes of Southern Arizona. 

For the past few years, I have served within the Diocese of Tucson, a place I now call home, not simply because I live here, but because I have poured my life, my ministry, and my heart into its people. Whenever I am asked what I cherish most about my time in the diocese, my answer is always sincere and immediate: my ministry to the sick, the homebound, and those in hospitals, as well as the life-giving ministries within our parishes. 

These moments are not mere assignments to me; they are sacred encounters. In rooms filled with quiet suffering and in homes marked by loneliness, I have been privileged to bring comfort, prayer, and the reassuring presence of Christ. In parish communities, I have found joy in celebrating the sacraments, guiding souls, and witnessing faith come alive in the everyday journey of God’s people. 

Recently, when I shared news that naturally stirred emotions among parishioners, I felt compelled to offer calm and grounding words. With a pastoral heart, I reminded them gently not to be upset. To many, this seemed unusual. But for me, it was simply faith in action. 

“God’s ways are not ours, and His thinking is not our thinking.” 

With this unshakeable conviction, I encouraged those entrusted to my care to keep trusting God’s plan, even when that plan feels uncertain or difficult to understand. 

My hope in all of this remains rooted deeply in the limitless power of God. “With God, all things are possible.” I say this with the certainty of someone whose life has been shaped by miracles both seen and unseen. I believe that even in moments of transition, God may be quietly resolving things that human eyes cannot yet perceive, aligning paths, healing hidden wounds, and opening doors that once appeared closed.

Today, I stand as a priest of faith, hope, and courage, a shepherd who believes profoundly in the God who guides, who heals, and who writes every chapter of our lives with purpose. My story in the Diocese of Tucson is still unfolding, but one thing remains certain: wherever God leads me next, I will continue to walk forward trusting, serving, and proclaiming that divine truth that has carried me this far. God is always at work, even when we do not yet understand how.