The schism, which has been trailing the appointment and consecration
of the new Bishop of Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Peter
Okpalaeke, by the Papacy, took a more dangerous dimension weekend, as
priests allegedly got entangled in what people described as a dirty
battle.
Vanguard investigations revealed that Rev. Fr. Januarius Chima Ahaneku
went to St. Brigid's Catholic Church, Nnarambia, at about 7.15p.m.,
following his posting to the parish by the Vicar General of the
embattled Diocese, Rev. Fr. Clement Ebii.
While Fr. Ahaneku was accused of storming the parish with thugs and
assaulting the resident priest, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Nweke, Ahaneku,
however, said he was there on legitimate posting.
Nweke confirmed that he had to alert the police and the people when
his brother priest allegedly exhibited an act unbecoming of an
ordained Catholic priest.
He said: "They started harassing us, using hammer and some iron bars
to break the doors and gained entrance. Some of us even sustained
injuries. I dislocated my left shoulder."
Continuing, Fr. Nweke alleged that the police recovered pump action
rifle, double barrelled gun and an electric shocker from Fr. Ahaneku
and his friends.
Fr. Ahaneku's story
In his own account, Fr. Ahaneku, who is a son of Nnarambia, said
although he presented a letter from the Vicar General, Rev. Fr.
Clement Ebii, deploying him to St. Brigid's Parish, as an Acting
Parish Priest, he never attempted the use of violence as claimed by
Nweke.
He explained that the men, who were arrested by the police as thugs
merely accompanied him to the Parish, to assist him settle down with
his belongings.
He said: "The Parish Priest left without the knowledge of the Vicar
General/Delegate of the Diocese. So, I was detailed to go there and
take care of the souls of the parishioners. I did not go there with a
thug at all."
Continuing, the obviously angry priest recalled that "when Fr. Nweke
came out, we greeted each other and I explained my mission to him and
he said he was not informed of the posting and insisted that the Vicar
should call him.
"The Vicar General called him severally but he refused to pick his calls.
"I took him to my car and showed him my authority: the letter I was
given. After reading it, he said there was no trouble."
Continuing, the priest recalled that as he was trying to move his
personal belongings into the parish house with the help of his
friends, Fr. Nweke started making calls.
Ahaneku said: "They first raised false alarm to the police that some
armed robbers invaded their house.
"In a matter of minutes, several people stormed the place. A lot of
them were carrying machetes and other dangerous weapons.
"I wanted to leave in my vehicle but my brother priest stood in front
of my car, insisting that I will not move an inch. In order not to
smash him or commit any crime, I left the vehicle there," Fr. Ahaneku
recounted.
The Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, which Fr. Ahaneku drove to the parish
was badly vandalized by the alleged angry youths and was still in the
custody of the Church at press time.
Vicar-General's confirmation
Reacting also, the Vicar General of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Ebii,
however confirmed that Fr. Ahaneku had his approval to report to St.
Brigid's Catholic Church.
He said: "Fr. Ahaneku was sent there officially to go and do pastoral
work. He had a legal paper from me."
Meanwhile, Imo State Police Command has appealed to the Administrator
of Ahiara Diocese, who doubles as the Archbishop of Abuja
Ecclesiastical Province, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, to
find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis bedevilling Ahiara
Diocese, since the death of Bishop Victor Chikwe.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who
made the passionate appeal, while reacting to the mayhem unleashed by
some supposed parishioners in St. Brigid's Church, Nnarambia.
He said: "It is most shocking that priests can get to this level. The
Catholic Church and its priests are supposed to show good examples for
others to follow."
--Vanguard
No comments:
Post a Comment