Proud to be an U.S. citizen
Father Freddie Mbiere filled with joy and tears as he is officially a citizen
By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor

It was standing room only inside the theatre room at the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield for a Nationalization Ceremony, where dozens of people would officially become citizens of the United States. One of those people was Father Chima Fredrick “Freddie” Mbiere, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Sherman and Resurrection Parish in Illiopolis. A several year process led to this moment. After patriotic songs were sung and several speakers spoke about the importance of this moment, Father Freddie swore allegiance to the United States and received his naturalization certificate, officially becoming one of the newest citizens of the United States.

“It is an overwhelming experience for me to be an American finally after all these years of journey,” Father Freddie said. “I can’t forget this day.”

His journey to becoming a U.S. citizen was also thousands of miles. Father Freddie was born in 1976 in Nigeria, Africa. Ordained a priest in 2006 in the Diocese of Nnewi, Father Freddie came to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois in 2016, first as chaplain of St. John’s Hospital. He then served at Christ the King Parish in Springfield before his current assignments in Sherman and Illiopolis.  

“For me to be here today (as a U.S. citizen), it is God’s blessing,” Father Freddie said with a smile. “It is an exciting experience for me, and I know that it is the will of God for me to be here.”

When asked about what he loves about America, Father Freddie listed several things such as the American spirit, the land of opportunity, the freedoms, and how it’s a “special place.” 

“It is wonderful to say that we are ‘one nation under God’ because God is everything,” Father Freddie said. “Without God, we cannot exist. God has blessed this country with a lot, and we need to recognize that this is the land that God has blessed. One of the reasons we are here as missionaries and as priests is because this country is a beautiful experience to share the faith with others.”

Reflecting on his journey some more, Father Freddie said he “cannot thank God enough,” and he also thanked his parents. 

“I want to remember my parents who made it possible for me to be in this this world, and my father who is deceased as I know he will be smiling from heaven,” he said. “My mom has always been joyful since she heard about this news, so I want to thank all who have made it possible for me to be here and those who have assisted me, especially my parishioners in Sherman and Illiopolis. I cannot thank God enough for Bishop Thomas John Paprocki and for giving me this opportunity. Bishop Paprocki, you are a good father, and you have a heart of a father. You are in my prayers always. I also want to thank our Vicar General (Msgr. David Hoefler) and all the priests in this diocese, my friends, and the curia staff. You are wonderful and you are good people. May God bless you for all your services. I almost have tears in my eyes, but they are tears of joy, so thank you everyone and know that Father Freddie is an American today!”