Mbaise Clergy Appointed For Ahiara Diocese as New Vicar

Mbaise Clergy Appointed for Ahiara Diocese as New Vicar

Rev. Fr. Louis Asiegbu, a priest of Ahiara Diocese and a Professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has been appointed as the New Vicar-General for the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise, Nigeria.

The appointment was made public by the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese His Eminence Cardinal John Onaiyekan on Saturday July 20 2013 during a Eucharistic celebration with the diocesan clergy.

In the words of the Cardinal Apostolic Administrator, he observed that “Since I am still busy with my primary assignment as Archbishop of Abuja and with many other engagements, I will not be able to spend much time in Ahiara. I need someone who can be for me and for you a point of reference. As Vicar-General, he will stand in for me in my absence from the diocese”.

UPDATE FROM THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF BISHOP PETER OKPALEKE

UPDATE FROM THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF BISHOP PETER OKPALEKE

By Uwakwe Chibuike MFC

History was made Tuesday 21^st May 2013 as all roads led to Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary Owerri for the Episcopal ordination/consecration of Msgr. Peter Okpaleke. It was perhaps a red-letter day for His Excellency, Most Rev Dr. Peter Okpaleke whose episcopal appointment was rocked by a crises of leadership by the people he is to shepherd.  He was appointed Friday 7^th December 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI to shepherd the Church in Ahiara diocese and ever since then, his candidacy for the Episcopal Seat of the Diocese has not been welcomed by the good people of Mbaise.

Reports gathered before now revealed that every attempt made to resolve the crises was met with an unprecedented resistance by the people of Mbaise who are agitating for an indigenous bishop. It was reported that they sealed off their Cathedral premises to forestall the Episcopal ordination/installation of the Bishop-elect. It was alleged that after a peaceful demonstration on black attire around their metropolis, a coffin was dropped near the Cathedral premises signaling danger for whoever tries to force himself on them.

Following this resistance and threat to life, the Episcopal ordination of the Bishop-elect was relocated to the Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary Chapel at Owerri to forestall any form of violence. The ceremony attracted people from all walks of life. The presence of the Church’s hierarchy, the clergy, religious, knights and ladies of the Church, the intelligentsia, Captains of industry and representatives of the government were notably recognized.