An unnamed Catholic priest from Mbaise would have become the new Bishop of Ahiara Mbaise Diocese but turned down the offer, according to an article in the influential Nigerian newspaper, ThisDay.

The article “Still on Mbaise Catholics” written by one of ThisDay’s senior writers Emmanuel Onyejena was published Monday under the paper’s “COMMENT” column.

In it, Onyejena wrote: ‘Without prejudice, it is not anyone’s fault that there is presently no Bishop from Mbaise. After all, as investigation has revealed, “a priest of Mbaise extraction” nearly become the new of Ahiara Diocese, but with a few days to the announcement of his elevation, the same Mbaise priest called Rome to withdraw his nomination. Why, he was asked. His reply: “my people are difficult to deal with. I cannot handle them”.’

Writing authoritatively on the matter, Onyejena said “that was how the Vatican looked elsewhere to pick Bishop in Ahiara,” adding: “It is the true faithful (the Iaity) who will feel the impact instead of those mischievous priest who remain in the priesthood for reasons other than winning souls for Christ.”

Quoting Catholic sources, Onyejena also debunked the widely held belief that Mbaise land in Imo State has more Catholic priests than any other part of Igboland, including Awka Diocese, from which Rome appointed His Lordship the Most Rev. Dr. Peter Ebere Okpaleke, who has been vehemently rejected by Ahiara Mbaise in preference for an indigenous Bishop.

According to Onyejena: ‘It is imperative at this juncture to put a lie to the spurious claims being made that “Ndi Mbaise” have more priests than any other place in the South-East. On the contrary, Ahiara Diocese has 73 parishes and 210 “incardinated priests”. The term refers to priests ordained within the Diocese and serving in the diocese of their ordination. (See Catholic Diocese of Ahiara Mbaise, Diary and Calendar of Pastoral Events, 2013). On the other hand, Awka Diocese which “Ndi Mbaise” love to hate, has 500 incardinated priests, five Bishops and 168 parishes. (See Catholic Diocese of Awka, Diary/Directory 2013).

Okpaleke, who was consecrated on Tuesday, May 21, in nearby Owerri, has been prevented from assuming duties, thus forcing Rome to appoint an administrator for the diocese pending the resolution of the crisis.

•Photo shows the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis.

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