The last time I checked, Bishop Peter
Okpaleke had graciously tendered his resignation, which implies that he’s not
anymore meant to be regarded as the Head of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese situated
in the ancient Mbaise nation. It’s noteworthy that the abrupt action was not
unconnected with the series of endless controversies experienced by the said
clergy since inception of office.
The Papacy under the watch of Pope
Benedict XVI had upon the demise of Bishop Victor Chikwe – the immediate past
and pioneer bishop of the Ahiara Diocese – 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 Mbaise. 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 order from the Pope, 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
under the reign of Pope Francis I, 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 unconditionally accepting Bishop 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 religious extremism, which could best be described as
amusing and irrational, wasn’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 extant
custom.
Ever since the melodrama began, I
chose to be mindful of my utterances in the public domain thereby making my
person seemed 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 unabated not until penultimate year when
I thought it wise to wake from the slumber having keenly observed that the
incidence was liable to degenerate into an untold crisis if it failed to
receive an apt attention. In view of that decision, I objectively wrote a piece
titled ‘the trending intriguing politics in Ahiara Diocese’.
Lest I forget, two factors ab initio
made me not to be too surprised or shocked over the lingered altercation in
Ahiara Diocese. One of them was that I grew up to understand that religion
harbours politics. Since the world came into existence, the former has ceased
to dissociate itself 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 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 apparently 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. It’s then needless to assert that the ensued saga in
Ahiara Diocese was 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 and preposterous.
Though the apology letters were tendered by
the concerned priests and members of the laity council as directed by the
Papacy, the apparent war ceased to end afterwards. Among all, in spite of the
countless reactions of the public coupled with various authorities cum
stakeholders, the religious extremists remained hell bent towards actualizing
their uncalled and weird quest.
Hence, three weeks ago, the much-criticized
Bishop Opkaleke who was consecrated in 2012 resigned, triggering mixed feelings
among the Christendom in various quarters. The letter of resignation reads in
part “I am convinced that my remaining the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese is no
longer beneficial to the Church. I do not think that my apostolate in a
diocese, where some of the priests and lay faithful are ill-disposed to have me
in their midst, would be effective”. In response, an epistle said to have
emanated from the Pontiff on 19th February 2018, accepted the
resignation in good faith.
In
consequence to the latest development, the Pope appointed the Bishop of Umuahia
Diocese, Dr. Luciuos Ugorji as the Apostolic Administrator of the Ahiara
diocese, pending when another substantive bishop would be consecrated to lead
the Catholic communion.
As Bishop Okpaleke resigns in style, it would
be needless to notify the Mbaise congregants that the Pope may decide not to
deploy any other clergy as the Bishop of the diocese, and they are aware the
implications of such decision if eventually taken by the Papacy. More so, the Supreme
Pontiff might as well decide to merge the diocese with the Owerri Archdiocese
where the affected worshippers initially belonged.
This among others is the reason they
must be willing to accept any other appointee of the Papacy irrespective of his
origin, because based on the doctrine of the Catholic Church, the latter may
not succumb to the frivolous request of the former.
So inasmuch as I commend Bishop
Okpaleke for taking such a bold step for the interest of the Church of Christ,
there’s a compelling need for the congregants to tread with caution and equally
acknowledge that the church belongs to nobody. Think about it!
Comrade Fred Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri
___________________________
Twitter: @mediambassador
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