Official Organizational Profile

The Ministry of
Not Forgetting.

FRATRES is a spiritual, charitable, and fraternal concern dedicated to the ministry of compassionate presence, mercy, accompaniment, and remembrance.

“No one who gave his life should grow old alone.”

Old age is not abandonment.

Sickness is not invisibility.

Retirement is not irrelevance.

Weakness does not cancel dignity.

Bereavement is not the end of belonging.

Caregivers also deserve care.

Rev. Fr. Cornelius N. Obe

Founder, FRATRES

The Story Behind FRATRES

FRATRES was born from a spiritual burden and a simple question: “Who cares for those who spent their lives caring for others?”

The Founder, Rev. Fr. Cornelius N. Obe, was deeply moved by the thought of elderly and retired priests, sick and incapacitated priests, parents of deceased priests, and those who had quietly cared for them during difficult periods.

The concern was not merely about material needs. It was about loneliness. It was about memory. It was about dignity. It was about the human need to know: “Someone still remembers me.”

Biography & Early Life

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Nebuwa Obe was born under unusual circumstances in the early hours of 6th June 1966 at Umuiboedugu, Umueya Uda, Enugu-Ezike. Raised entirely by his widowed mother in the midst of severe poverty and the pressures of traditional African religion, his early life was defined by struggle, resilience, and a profound journey toward the Christian faith.

Our Vision

To build a culture of compassionate fraternity in which the elderly, sick, retired, bereaved, vulnerable, and those who have spent their lives serving others are remembered, respected, accompanied, and treated with dignity.

Our Mission

To express Christian-inspired charity and fraternity through compassionate presence, visitation, companionship, practical assistance, listening, spiritual support, responsible referral, follow-up, and remembrance.

The Method of Care

FRATRES does not ask "How much can you give?" It first asks "Whom can you remember?" We operate according to a simple seven-step approach.

SEE

We notice people whom others overlook.

VISIT

We establish meaningful contact.

LISTEN

We discover real needs without rushing their story.

SERVE

We turn compassion into practical assistance.

CONNECT

We involve family or professionals where necessary.

FOLLOW UP

We do not disappear after one visit.

REMEMBER

We maintain the relationship and dignity.

Become an Instrument
of Mercy

You do not need wealth or specialized degrees to serve. A volunteer may simply have two hours to spare. That is enough to remind someone they are not forgotten.

Join the Fraternity