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.

In attendance were about twenty-six (26) bishops among whom were Bishops Solomon Amatu (Okigwe), Vincent Ezeonyia (Aba), Augustine Ukwuoma (Orlu), Hilary Okeke (Nnewi), Callistus Onaga (Enugu), Joseph Ekuwem (Uyo), Paulinus Ezeokafor (Awka), Camillus Umoh (Ikot Ekpene), Emmanuel Badejo (Oyo), Matthew Audu (Lafia), Hyacinth Egebo (Bomadi Vicariate), Gabriel Dunia (Auchi) Michael Elue (Iselle-Uku), etc. Nine (9) Archbishops including Archishop A.J.V Obinna (the Principal Consecrator), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama (President CBCN), Archbishop Valerian Okeke (Onitsha) and Archbishop Brian Udaigwe (Papal Nuncio to Togo and Benin Republic) were also present. The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja and Cardinal John Onaiyekan were also in attendance. It was gathered that many other bishops and Archbishops who planned to be there were frustrated by their flight schedules.

Preaching during the mass, the homilist and Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji welcomed and thanked all present for their solidarity. He observed that they gathered for a ceremony that was important for the Church. He confessed that Mbaise, the said Ireland of Africa is a good land blessed with enough human resources both in the clergy, government and education. He also said that the Bishopric is a divine position and is only a gift reserved for the Church. As an unmerited gift, the Church bestows it on whoever the Spirit wants and whenever She wants. As a result, he assured them that Bishop Okpaleke is a good man with an outstanding history of integrity and honour. He thus, advised the people of Mbaise to bury the hatchet and accept Bishop Okpaleke as their local ordinary. He pleaded with them assuring them that Bishop Okpaleke who seems to be the rejected stone now may be their corner stone tomorrow. He made them to understand that his appointment was not an imposition out of bad will but a manifestation of the universality of the Church.  

After the homily, he was however consecrated a Bishop and some priests, religious and laity from Ahiara diocese paid allegiance to him pending when he will take over the canonical possession of the diocese. The ceremony ended with a light refreshment sponsored by the Knights of the Church after the mass.