Against the backdrop of jubilations in Ahiara Catholic Diocese that a new Bishop has been posted to take charge against Bishop Peter Okpaleke, Cardinal Onaiyekan has said that “I am not the Bishop of Ahiara, but rather, I am an Apostolic Administrator”.
Cardinal Onaiyekan while confirming his appointment disclosed that he is coming to Mbaise for a purpose.
Said he, “It is a task that the Holy See has given me and in the spirit of service of the Church. I have accepted and I am already in charge of the Diocese. I am the ecclesiastical of Ahiara Diocese and the priests and the people of Ahiara are aware of it. They have welcomed me and we have a common task to do; to resolve the issues still left there to be resolved”.
On his role as the apostolic administrator, Cardinal Onaiyekan added, “I should administer the place in the name of the Holy See. But administering doesn’t mean I am the one going to be running the parishes and all that is there. But it means there is somebody in charge of the place and the buck stops at my table”.
Explaining further on the Ahiara Diocese, the ranking cleric offered that he is going to Mbaise land for the purposes of observing the reported crisis that has engulfed Ahiara Diocese since Bishop Peter Okpaleke was announced Bishop-elect by retired Pope Benedict XVI. A reasonable number of the clergy and laity not only kicked against the decision but also rejected his Episcopal consecration in Mbaise land and subsequent take over as substantive Bishop of Ahiara Diocese.
