Madison Catholic Priest and Tennis Umpire to Officiate at 2017 U.S. Open

Father Paul Arinze, the Nigeria-born priest of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, girds himself for America's premier tennis event beginning next week in New York.

The U.S. Open is American’s premier tennis event, running Aug. 28-Sept. 10 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in Flushing, New York. Previous winners include Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka, Germany’s Angelique Kerber, Britain’s Andy Murray and Serena Williams of the U.S.

But did you know among the lineup of international stars is a Nigerian-born Catholic priest who is responsible for keeping star matches running smoothly and fairly?

Father Paul Arinze is the pastor of St. John Vianney parish in Janesville, Wisconsin. He is also a line and chair umpire who has officiated at every major tennis event around the world, plus several Olympic games. The Register interviewed with Father Arinze just ahead of the U.S. Open.

continue at NCRegister

ht ac

Fr. Paul Arinze, pastor of Paul Ryan's parish, offered prayer at the opening of 115th Congress

Video

via Fr. Rick

MadCatHerald: Thanks be to God! Prayers are answered as Beloit priest's mother rescued

BELOIT -- Very Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze has been touched by the “outpouring of support and love” from people throughout the Diocese of Madison who prayed for his mother, Virginia Arinze, who was rescued after being kidnapped in Nigeria.

Father Arinze, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) Parish in Beloit, made a quick trip to Nigeria on March 2 to see his mother in the hospital. He returned to Beloit on March 6.

Mother’s condition

“She was still in the ICU when I arrived in Nigeria in critical but stable condition,” he said after his return. “She had suffered from extreme dehyration, dislocated shoulders, and a knee injury and was complaining of internal pain all due to the extreme way she was handled and the conditions her captors put her through.”

By his second day in Nigeria, Mrs. Arinze made “tremendous improvement” and was responding positively to her treatment, Father Arinze said.

“She was moved from ICU to a regular critical care room on March 5. According to her doctors, she will still be in the hospital for another week or two before her release. Investigations into the circumstances of her kidnapping and those who were involved are still ongoing.”

Abducted at gunpoint

Mrs. Arinze was abducted at gunpoint from her home in the city of Awka on the afternoon of February 21. The abductors claimed to have some ties to the terrorist organization Boko Haram, but the Nigerian authorities are doubtful of that claim, said Father Arinze.

“She was held outside all through her days in captivity, exposing her to rain, sun, and other elements,” he said.

continue at MadCatHerald

Beloit priest's mother rescued from abductors in Nigeria

A Beloit priest's mother was rescued from abductors in Nigeria Saturday, according to the Diocese of Madison.

On Monday, spokesman for the diocese Brent M. King said Father Paul Arinze's mother Virginia was rescued from kidnappers this weekend overseas in Nigeria and was recovering at a Nigerian hospital Sunday. Paul Arinze is a Catholic priest at Our Lady of the Assumption on Shopiere Road in Beloit.

King said Virginia Arinze was taken from her home in Nigeria at gunpoint on Feb. 21, and the kidnappers had left a note implying there would be a demand for ransom later.

King said Virginia Arinze was rescued Saturday night and two of her abductors were captured. Arinze was in intensive care recovering from the ordeal. Paul Arinze left Sunday for Nigeria to be with his family, King said.

Paul Arinze is scheduled to return to Beloit later this week.

The vicar general of the Diocese of Madison, Monsignor James Bartylla, said in a statement that the diocese was relieved with the news of Virginia Arinze's safe return.

continue at Channel 3000

I saw that WisSJ posted something related to this story, and Father Z a week or so ago and then both removed their posts without explanation.   Perhaps there were still concerns about alerting the abductors.

This is the same priest I believe that officiates at the US Open.