The ongoing supremacy war between the Catholic Church and Mbaise faithful over the appointment of Monsignor Peter Ebele Okpaleke, as Bishop-elect of Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise, will undoubtedly reach a climax today as the new Bishop is consecrated.
There have been altercations between the two groups following the appointment of Okpaleke which the clergy, laity and religious of Mbaise extraction spontaneously rejected for certain reasons.
Despite the rejection and threats by the priests against Okpaleke, the consecration will now take place today at the Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Ulakwo, near Owerri, where the Church hierarchy will gather to enthrone Okpaleke the new Bishop of Ahiara after late Bishop Victor Chikwem who died some years ago.
According to Bishop Augustine Ukwuoma of Orlu Diocese who is also the Secretary of the Catholic Bishops of the Owerri Catholic Provincial Council, Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Ulakwo, after the stiff resistance from the Mbaise Catholics that the Bishop-elect will not be ordained in their land, will be the venue for the consecration as Vatican representatives and the clergy across the country will gather for the religious exercises.
The Provincial Bishops had in March this year asked for prayers adding that there is no going back on the orders of the Holy Father from Vatican City who appointed Okpaleke. The Bishops while adducing reasons for going ahead with Okpaleke’s consecration drew the attention of Mbaise faithful to a quotation from the Canon Law which states “There is neither appeal nor recourse against the judgment or Decree of the Roman Pontiff (C333 83).
All arrangements have been concluded for the consecration exercise at the Seat of Wisdom Seminary after the earlier venue was rejected due to emerging crisis in Mbaise land. Police and other security agencies have been duly mobilized to provide enough security for the clergy and laity who are expected at the venue. At the end of the consecration, the new Bishop is expected to be escorted to the Ahiara Cathedral at Nnarambia town, in Mbaise, to commence work as the substantive Bishop of the Diocese.
Meanwhile, the clergy and laity of Mbaise extraction have reiterated their earlier resolve not to accept Okpaleke in spite of today’s exercise.
Trumpeta learnt that the clergy and laity have not only declared intention to boycott the consecration event but also refused to cooperate with Okpaleke after the ordination.
A leading priest of Ahiara Diocese, who is involved in the fight against Okpaleke’s imposition noted that the new Bishop will not get the support of priests of the Diocese if the Catholic Church goes ahead to make the Anambra-born cleric Bishop of the Mbaise Catholic Church.
According to the priest who pleaded anonymity, “Nde Mbaise has won round one by ensuring that the ordination is done outside Mbaise land. Today, we learnt it is no longer going to be at our Cathedral here, rather at Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Ulakwo, that is in Owerri Archdiocese”
Expressing happiness that their brother priests from Owerri Archdiocese, those he referred to as “Owerri Presbyterium” have also joined in the struggle against a non-Bishop of Mbaise extraction added that “even if they (Catholic Church) succeed in making him Bishop, it is certain he will not enjoy our support. Our people have girded their loins to reject him. Let Archbishop Obinna and others go ahead with the exercise. Our people will continue to reject him in Mbaise. We shall not be there for him.
Worried by the ugly development, the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Archbishop Obinna burst into tears on Sunday at Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, while expressing misgivings over the crisis bedeviling the Mbaise Catholic Diocese.
A troubled Archbishop Obinna could not help but weep over the whole incident stating that the rejection is unexpected from true and worthy Catholics. The cleric urged the people to continue in prayers for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
As at the time of going to press, Trumpeta authoritatively learnt that Vatican, the Seat of the Holy Father in Rome, Italy, may have reconsidered the complaints put forward by Mbaise Catholic faithful over the non-appointment of an indigenous Bishop for the Diocese.
Accordingly, an order from the Holy Father, the Vatican reportedly is asking that after the consecration of Bishop Okpaleke at the Seat of Wisdom, the Diocese of his destination or pastoral work should not be mentioned as he should proceed to Rome immediately for further directives. The purported directives from Rome, was a cheering news to Mbaise Catholics who felt they have won another round in the battle against Okpalaleke after succeeding in ensuring that the Bishop was not consecrated on their soil.
