Embattled Bishop of Ahiara Diocese resigns

The embattled Bishop of Ahiara Diocese in Mbaise, Most Rev. Peter Ebere Okpaleke, has resigned from the position.

Okpaleke appointed by the Pope resigned after years of rejection by the clergy and laity of the diocese. The protracted squabble had left the diocese without a head for a long time.

Though no substantive Bishop was appointed, the Pope appointed the Bishop of Umuahia, the Most Rev. Lucius lwejuru Ugorji, as the Apostolic Administrator, Sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, to oversee the activities of the diocese for the time being.

A statement from the Holy See said, “The Holy Father, after having accepted the resignation of His Excellency, the Most Rev. Peter Ebere Okpaleke, has relieved him of the pastoral care of the Diocese of Ahiara, and at the same time has thanked him for his love for the Church.

“Following the Instructions of His Holiness Pope Francis, during the months of June and July 2017, He received 200 letters from individual priests of the Diocese of Ahiara, in which they manifested to Him obedience and fidelity.

Some priests, however, pointed out their psychological difficulty in collaborating with the Bishop after years of conflict.

The Holy Father thanked His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan for his service as Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, President of the Episcopal Conference, and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri, Msgr. Anthony Obinna, for the efforts made to solve the lamentable situation.