Catholic Bishops Suspend Priest For Engaging In Private Business

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Ibadan
Ecclesiastical Province, on Tuesday affirmed the suspension of one
Reverend Father Raphael Fagbohun for allegedly engaging in illicit
businesses.

The conference also praised the Nigerian governments, Lagos in
particular, for taking proactive measures in curbing the spread of the
deadly Ebola virus disease in the country, saying such steps have
indicated that the country is a serious nation.

At a press conference addressed on behalf of the body by its Secretary
and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, in Ado Ekiti, on
Tuesday, said the affirmation became necessary following father
Fagbohun's recalcitrant posture to toe the line of repentance as
expected by the church after committing the offence.

Bishop Ajakaye expressed disappointment at the priest's action,
particularly his hard stand posture after his suspension for allegedly
engaging in estate management business in the Federal Capital
Territory without authorisation from the relevant authority.

He said: "According to the law of the church, a priest who is involved
in commercial activities without due authorisation is liable to
punishment according to the canon law.

"Until the recent development, Father Fagbohun claimed to have been
consecrated the first African Bishop of the old Catholic Church
despite being suspended as a priest of Ekiti diocese.

"We assure that all his faculties would be restored and prohibitions
withdrawn as soon as he complied with all our instructions."

The CBCN, in another communiqué signed by its President, Archbishop
Gabriel Abegunrin, described the Ebola epidemic as a source of worry,
but added that the prompt action taken by government would help in
stemming the spread.

It commiserated with the families of those that had lost their lives
to Ebola scourge, praying to God to grant the nation the fortitude to
bear the irreparable losses.

The Catholic bishops also praised the Independent National Electoral
Commission and security agencies over peaceful conduct of Ekiti and
Osun elections, pointing out that the electoral commission must strive
to straighten all rough edges in the future elections.