The crisis rocking the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise, over the appointment of a non-indigene as bishop has assumed a new dimension, following the shocking resignation of the Vicar General of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Professor Louis Asiegbu.
As at the time of going to press, Vanguard could not ascertain the reason for his resignation, despite spirited attempts to get Professor Asiegbu to react to the news.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has appointed Rev. Clement Ebii as the new Vicar General of the Diocese.
In a letter dated June 27, and addressed to Rev. Dr. Ebii, Cardinal Onaiyekan recalled that Fr. Asiegbu had resigned as Vicar in Ahiara Diocese.
He said: “This has created a vacuum of authority that cannot be allowed to continue any longer. I have therefore decided to appoint a replacement.
“It is in this light that I hereby appoint you as my new Vicar and Delegate in Ahiara Diocese.
“This appointment, by which I am conferring on you the status of Vicar General, has been made after careful reflection and due consultation.”
He sent copies of the letter to the embattled Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Ebere Okpaleke, and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J.V. Obinna.
Vanguard recalls that the appointment and consecration of Okpaleke, a non-indigene of the area as Bishop of Ahiara, has polarized the faithful and clergy.
It will also be recalled that Okpaleke had not been allowed to take occupation of the Bishop’s Court, Nnarambia, Mbaise, or had the opportunity of celebrating mass anywhere within the Diocese
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