By Praise Chinecherem
The Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State has distanced itself from Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie, a priest of the diocese who preached against the State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and other politicians during his homily, last Sunday.
The priest had attacked Soludo for opposing the political ambition of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi.
The priest had also called on his parishioners to vote against all candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, which Soludo is the national leader.
But in a press release by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Ndubuisi, the Awka Catholic Diocese, saying he did not have the mandate of the diocese to make such utterances.
It said some of the utterances were capable of destroying the long lasting relationship the church had enjoyed with the Anglican Communion in the state as well as overheating the polity.
The statement reads in part, โThe Catholic diocese of Awka wishes to disassociate herself completely from those utterances. Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie has no mandate of the diocese of Awka, to do so.
โThe diocese will take the necessary steps to continue to teach her priests the sanctity of the pulpit and will not hesitate to apply sanctions where necessary.
โThe Church has inherent right, independent of any human authority to preach the gospel to all people, for it is the Church that Christ the Lord has entrusted the deposit of faith(can.747).
โHowever, this inherent right must be exercised within the laid down rules and regulations. In the context of Mass, the rules of homiletics should necessarily apply(cann.768 &1,2, 769, 772&1).
โTherefore, the platform offered by the pulpit cannot be used for personal sentiments and verbal attack, capable of destroying anybodyโs good name.”
