- Nnewi Catholic Diocese Explains
The Nnewi Catholic Diocese says the reason for deployment of armed security operatives at the St. Martin of Tours Parish, Ihiala, Anambra State was for protection.
The Diocesan Director of Communications, Rev Fr Martin Onwudiwe, who made the clarification in a statement, said the security operatives were not sent to threaten the Holy ghost priests but to protect church properties, 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.
Fr. Onwudiwe, in company of the Episcopal Vicar of Ozubuu region and the parish priest of St Michael Catholic Church Ozubuu, Rev Fr Hygi Aghulor, further disclosed that the security operatives recieved 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.
The priest also while fielding questions on the allegation that some priests especially the older ones in the diocese are not happy with the postings made by the new Bishop, dismissed such claim as mere 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, further explained that Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, the Bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese had long time ago communicated the information of the transfer of the Holy ghost priests to their Superior General and that every priest in the diocese is expected to obey the Bishop’s directive.
Aghulor stressed that claim that Ihiala parishioners are demanding for a diocese was not true and not practicable in the Catholic Church. He noted that the parishioners were not involved in the act of disobedience to the bishop adding that a few disgruntled persons were behind the mob action.
