THE TRENDING INTRIGUING ‘POLITICS’ IN AHIARA DIOCESE
The
last time I checked, the Ahiara Roman Catholic Diocese situated in the ancient
Mbaise nation in the Ecclesiastical province of Owerri, Imo State was yet to
boast of a substantive Bishop who is meant to serve as the boss of the said
territory as the Catholic doctrine demands. It’s not anymore news that the quagmire
has lingered for over six years now, if I’m not mistaken.
The Papacy had upon the demise of the immediate past and pioneer bishop of the Ahiara Diocese, Bishop Victor Chikwe, in 2010,
approved the nomination of a Catholic priest, Rev. Peter Okpalaeke who hails from Awka in
Anambra State to serve as the bishop of the diocese. Amazingly, the named
clergy was outrightly rejected by virtually all the Catholic faithful in the
diocese, stating that the favoured priest did not possess the required
qualities to super-head the communion.
One of their reasons was that Rev.
Okpalaeke does not hail from the Mbaise nation; according to them, it was a
grievous blunder for the Pope not to find anyone among over seven hundred (700)
Catholic priests of Mbaise origin worthy to serve as the bishop of the Ahiara
Diocese. They equally lamented that Rev. Okpalaeke does not speak a dialect
that could be comprehended by the members of the diocese, thus could not be
ordained to lead them.
Notwithstanding, the appointed clergy was
eventually ordained amidst the protest. Owing to the unwelcoming attitude of
the aggrieved worshippers, the ordination took place outside the Mater
Ecclesiae Cathedral of the Ahiara Diocese – Agbala in Owerri North LGA
precisely – amid tight security. It was the first time in the history of the
Catholic communion a prospective bishop would be ordained at a venue situated
outside the diocese he was supposed to oversee.
It’s worth noting that after the ordination,
the rebellion became more intense. Since then, the seat has been apparently hot
for the innocent Bishop Peter Okpaleke who has mostly been operating from the
Diaspora. In spite of the recent order from Pope Francis I instructing the Catholic
faithful in the diocese to unanimously sheathe their swords, the people remain
hell-bent towards ensuring that their own becomes the bishop of the diocese.
In
a recent communiqué from the Papacy, precisely on 8th June 2017,
having received a delegation from the Ahiara Diocese, all members of the
diocesan clergy – including the priests and deacons – were given 30 days ultimatum to
personally write the Vatican pledging their unflinching obedience to the Pope
and accepting Bishop Peter Okpalaeke. Based on the directive, those who failed
to write would be suspended a ‘divinis’, which would prohibit such priest or
deacon from administering any of the sacraments save for a clergy hearing the
confession of a person in danger of death, and would equally be removed from
their posts.
It’s
mind-boggling and indeed ridiculous to realize that the ongoing scenario, which
could best be described as dramatic and amusing, isn’t only ignited and fueled
by the laity council in the diocese but rather has the full support of most of
the Catholic priests from the area who are expected to be more informed
regarding the Catholic custom.
It’s
noteworthy that I’m not here to apportion blames; rather, to cushion the
excruciating effects of the uncalled religious extremism. Ever since the
melodrama began, I have chosen to be mindful of my utterances in the public
domain thereby making my person seem not unlike a mere onlooker, knowing fully
well that issues pertaining to religion are highly sensitive and delicate,
hence ought to be handled as such. My muteness continued not until lately when
I thought it wise to wake from slumber having keenly observed that the incidence
is liable to degenerate into an untold crisis if it failed to receive an apt
attention.
Lest I forget, two factors have ab
initio made me not to be too surprised or shocked over the lingering
altercation in Ahiara Diocese. One of the factors remains that I grew up to
understand that religion harbours politics. Yes, read my lips. Since the world
came into existence, the former has ceased to be dissociated from the latter. Prior
to the emergence of Pope Benedict XI (rtd.), what transpired therein made me
draw a holistic conclusion that politics is arguably ubiquitous. If you are
still in doubt, please feel free to consult your history book for further
details. If the above hypothesis as regards politics and religion holds water,
then the Ahiara Diocese ought not to be an exception.
Another pertinent factor is the fact
that the people of the Mbaise nation have been known for their unison. Mbaise
as a people are so united that they invariably, or do not hesitate to, act as a
body whenever it calls for action. This remains a core feature outsiders envy
about them. Needless to assert that what is currently trending in Ahiara
Diocese is an epitome of what the Mbaise nation represents.
However,
it’s worthy of note that sometimes a cause pursued vigorously in unison could
be misleading. In other words, we are required to tread with caution while
treating matters that relate to our faith. The Mbaise nation may have thus far
fought a good fight, but they must acknowledge in haste that their collective
faith is ironically at stake.
There’s
a compelling need for them to comprehend that the ongoing battle has
unequivocally already made millions of individuals to become sceptical of the
genuineness of the Catholic Church as a whole, thereby making those who intend
being part of the membership of the Catholic community lose interest. The
bitter truth surrounding the agitation is that several pagans who wished to
become Christians, perhaps Catholics, are now fearful of the said communion; it
suffices to say that the era of seeing this set of persons jettison their
respective shrines for Christendom’s sake could be far-fetched.
I immensely appreciate the Imo State governor,
Chief Rochas Okorocha for wading into the crisis when his imminent attention
was needed most. Against this backdrop, I enjoin other well-spirited
individuals cum entities to follow suit in ensuring that peace is thoroughly
embraced by the warring factions. We are not unaware that some persons from the
Mbaise nation have remain neutral in this case, thus we urge such set of people
to serve as a mediator since silence is no longer the needed recipe.
No one is expected to sit on the fence
toward resolving this imbroglio, because we are all – one way or the other –
affected by it. It is better late than never. Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Clinic - Owerri
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