Catholic priests reject Pope’s candidate

Catholic priests in Imo State yesterday in Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Pope Francis’ candidate, Monsignor Peter Okpalaeke, as the new bishop of Ahiara Diocese.

The protesters, who wore black attire, disrupted vehicular and human movements, marched through major streets of the city for several hours, displaying placards and chanting anti-Vatican slogans.

Some of the placards read: “No ordination of Okpalaeke in Mbaise”; “Awka has five bishops, Mbaise has no bishop”; “Mbaise unequivocally rejects Okpalaeke”; “We reject injustice”; “We want Mbaise son as Mbaise bishop”, among others.

Okpalaeke was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI last year but the priests and Catholic faithful of Ahiara Catholic Diocese protested the appointment describing it as injustice.

In a six-page declaration signed by the President and Secretary, Ahiara Diocesan Priests Association, ADPA, Rev. Fr. Austin Bernadine Ekechukwu and Rev. Fr. Dominic N. Ekweariri respectively, the protesters strongly contested Okpalaeke’s suitability for Ahiara Diocese, given its uniqueness and pastoral realities.

“We, the priests and lay faithful of Ahiara Diocese, having in view the peculiarities of our diocese, state that we categorically reject the appointment of Msgr. Peter Okpalaeke as the bishopelect of Ahiara Diocese”, the priests stated.

They also said that they are impelled by the pastoral realities of their diocese and being solicitous for the promotion of the Catholic faith among their people, have the obligation to reject anything that imperils the faith of their people.

“Our opposition to the appointment of Msgr. Okpalaeke draws from our perception of the paramount importance of the salvation of the souls of our people. The salvation of the souls of our people in Ahiara Diocese commands our primary allegiance before any other consideration”, the priests said.

While empahasing that the appointment of Okpalaeke contradicts natural justice, the priests argued that it sends a reprehensible signal about the status and reputation of about 500 Catholic priests in Mbaise, a diocese that has been globally acclaimed as the Ireland of Nigeria.
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