OPINION: Ahiara Diocese Crisis, Secession, And Pope Francis Resolution

By Ena Ofugara

Note: This article is unedited

Why I hold resolutely to my view that splitting Nigeria does not stop the tribalism and nepotism. Even in Catholic church that has so progressed, it has a Pope from third world Argentina, in Nigeria, that a Bishop is chosen from the next diocese, even though they are all one state and one tribe, they would not accept the Bishop.

The unacceptance is serious enough for the worst punishment excommunication to be used by pope as threat for him to be accepted.

Guy!!! Now imagine if the Bishop was from another tribe. hohohoho! And this is church oh. Now imagine politics and revenue sharing. hohohoho. There is so much to change in us before we risk a single soul in a secession war. We are but old wines in a proposed new bottle.

On the crisis in Ahiara Mbaise Diocese: Pope Francis Declares.....

"All Priests must write an Apology letter addressed to the Vatican before on the 20th of June, 2017 over their misbehaviors over who becomes their Bishop.

"Whoever fails to write this letter and pledge his loyalty to the new/old Bishop shall be excommunicated by the Vatican and their (Ahiara) diocese shall be submerged into another Diocese."

God bless Pope Francis!
For over seven years now, both laity and Clergy members of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara Mbaise bluntly rejected their Bishop because he was chosen from Awka Diocese.

I'm not disappointed by the Church members (Laity), they were only following instructions from their Priests and those Priests that rejected a Bishop appointed by the Pope are 'Disgrace' to the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

Is the Archbishop of Abuja from Abuja?
Is the Archbishop of Benin from Benin??
Is the Bishop of Sokoto from Sokoto???
That the good people of Mbaise pride themselves as the second community to Ireland with the highest number of Ordained Priests in the world does not give them any rights whatsoever to reject a Bishop appointed by the Vatican.

Why play dirty tribal politics inside the Church? Pope Benedict was almost frustrated by Ahaira Mbaise Bishop brouhaha. Pope Francis now declares: Enough Is Enough