From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Nnewi Catholic Diocese has debunked the claim that armed security men were sent to threaten and force transferred priests out St. Martin of Tours Parish, Ihiala, Anambra State.
The Diocesan Director of Communications, Rev Fr Onwudiwe Martin said on the contrary, the church actually sent armed security men to the parish following the theft of Blessed Sacrament in two parishes in the area.
“The State security men sent to Ihiala by the diocese are there just to protect the church property especially the Blessed Sacrament given the current state desecration of the Sanctissimum.
“On 11th November, 2022, the Blessed Sacrament was made away with from St Christopher Catholic Church Ihiala and All Saints Parish Oraifite on 14th November 2022.” Rev Fr Martin explained.
Rev Fr Martin who was flanked by the former Diocesan Director of Communications, who is now the Episcopal Vicar of Ozubuu region and the parish priest of St Michael Catholic Church Ozubuu, Rev Fr Hygi Aghulor pointed out that the state security men got express briefing from the bishop never to release any gunshot or teargas anybody.
“They were not to touch the priest at all, that is why the thugs mobbed up to go and counter them which made the state security men to run away from them. The truth is that any sincere priest on ground church premises who feels insecure alerts the bishop first and not the thugs.” Fr Martin asserted.
Rev Fr Martin while asked to comment on the allegation that some priests especially the older ones are not happy with the postings made by the new Bishop said that such claim is a more insinuation that has no basis.
He noted that the leadership style of the Bishop Okoye has translated to positive development in every area of the diocese.
Rev Fr Aghulor while buttressing the position of the church pointed out that Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, the Bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese has communicated the information of the transfer of the CCSP to their Superior General and that every priest in the diocese is expected to be obidient to the Bishop’s directive.
Rev Fr Aghulor said as a matter of fact that claim that Ihiala parishioners are demanding for a diocese is not true and actually not practicable in the Catholic Church.
He noted that the entire parishioners are not involved in the act of disobedience to the bishop adding that a few disgruntled persons are actually behind the mob action.
Recall that some armed security men allegedly storm St Martin of Tours Parish Ihiala last week Friday on the directive of the bishop.