BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
A former parish priest of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umuoguduakpu Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Rev Fr. John Okwoeze-Odey, has been suspended for reportedly criticizing the bishop of his diocese.
The 79-year-old-priest of the Abakaliki Catholic Diocese had authored a book entitled, ‘The forbidden truth and the clouds of witnesses: How Rev. Fr Emmanuel Obuna ruled and crippled Abakaliki Diocese,’ which was launched in Abakaliki in October 2021.
The 10-chapter and 479-page book exposed the alleged injustice experienced by priests under the administration of the Emeritus Bishop Michael Okoro. Specifically, the author said that the injustice was spearheaded by the then Diocese Chancellor, Rev Fr. Emmanuel Obuna.
Okwoeze-Odey, a prolific writer who started writing and publishing of books for evangelism and to expose societal ills in 1986, had in his 46th book chronicled how Obuna allegedly acted unjustly under the watch of the Emeritus bishop.
Following this, the Catholic Church leadership in the diocese slammed Okwoeze-Odey with indefinite suspension in October last year.
Nine months after, the Church opened a path for reconciliation following pleas from both laity members and fellow priests for Okwoeze-Odey. He was subsequently asked to tender a public apology.
The efforts of the Church were aimed at reconciling Okwor-Odey to full communion with the Abakaliki Diocesan Presbyterian and restoring him to priesthood.
The embattled priest publicly read an apology letter on July 9, 2022 at St. Theresa’s Cathedral Abakaliki during the Priestly Ordination of seven deacons as one of the conditions by the Church for settlement.
Okwor-Odey wrote, “In line with this resolve, I undertake never to publish and distribute anything against my Bishop and brother priests. I also undertake to withdraw the recanted book ‘The forbidden truth and the clouds of witness: How Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obuna ruled and crippled Abakaliki Diocese’ from further publication, circulation or sale and to return the remaining copies to the Chancery Office.
“I pray to be forgiven, to be reconciled with the Presbyterian and to be restored to the exercise of my priestly functions.”
The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev Peter Chukwu, enjoined the diocese to pray for God’s grace on the remorseful priest, saying, “I call on the diocese to pray for God’s grace on our brother and priest whom the Church loves so much as he goes through the entire process of reconciliation.”
Among others, The Point reports that the embattled clergyman, who had served 38 years as a Catholic priest, authored ‘The paradox of a nation,’ ‘Demofascism and the flames of religion, ritual circumcision in Ezza and the Christian faith,’ and ‘Nigeria: Search for peace and social justice.’
