Another wave of excitement has hit the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara-Mbaise following the recent appointment of key administrative officers of the diocese and an all-encompassing redeployment of priests by the new Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.
The list of appointees is contained in a document signed by Bishop Ugorji on April 18, 2018. Among the appointments which take effect from Friday, May 18, 2018 include Rev. Fr. Ethelbert Uwadoka as Vicar-General; Rev. Fr. Jude Uwalaka, Chancery/Secretary; Rev. Fr. Michael Anyanwu, Assiatant Secretary and Rev. Fr. Modestus Nwanna as Financial Administrator.
It will however be recalled that Bishop Ugorji had earlier announced the appointment of Rev. Fr. Ethelbert Uwadoka as Vicar-General when he performed his first assignment as Apostolic Administrator at Mater Dei Ecclesia Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, on Saturday, March 10, 2018, when he attended the first holy mass to be celebrated at the cathedral in six years following the protracted crisis that ensued over the appointment of Bishop Ebere Peter Okpalaeke as the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara- Mbaise.
Other appointments which has been to the delight of both the priests and laity include the appointment of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nwaogwugwu as Diocesan Auditor/Accountant, Rev. Fr. Celestine Ekennia, Dean, St Cyril, Ahiazu; Rev. Fr. Joe Egbule is Dean, St Augustine, Ezinihitte, while Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Njoku is Dean, St Monica, Aboh.
Members of the College of Consultors include Very Re. Fr. Ethelbert Uwadoka; Rev. Fr. Jude Uwalaka; Rev. Fr. Louis Ashiegbu; Rev. Fr. Boniface Nwaigwe; Rev. Fr. Clement Ebii; Rev. Fr. Martin Elekwachi; and Rev. Fr. Innocent Olekamma. Others include Rev. Fr. Celestine Ekennia, Dean; Rev. Fr. Joe Egbule, Dean; Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Njoku, Dean; and Rev Fr.Paul Ohaeri.
The Episcopal Vicars are Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nwaloe, Vicar for the Clergy; Rev Fr. Leonard Ugbor, Vicar for the Religious; and Rev. Fr. Celestine Ekennia, Vicar for the Laity.
Rev. Fr. ProtaseAnyanwu is Director of Social Communication and Editor of The Guide; while Rev. Fr. Julian Nwachukwu is Assistant Editor. Rev Fr. Walter Ihejirika and Rev. Fr. Innocent Uwa are Editorial Advisers.
Costing great anxiety among the priests, however, is the mass redeployment of all priests in the diocese. The source of anxiety as revealed by some priest who spoke to NCR include the May 18, 2018 effective date for the postings, and the other conditions attached to the movement of the priests and taking possession their new locations and offices. Most of these obligations which were annual in nature were not met by many priests all through the crisis period of about six years.
The notice of posting signed by the Apostolic Administrator advised all affected priests to, “Kindly prepare your hand-over notes, inventories and financial accounts in triplicate copies,” while also noting that a team of inspectors will visit all priests and office holders affected by this location.”
“There will be no movement for those affected until their books have been inspected and certified correct,” it went further to state. “This,” the notice also stated,” will involve the clearance of harvest accounts, 20% to the Diocese and other collections due to the Diocese not yet accounted for.”
It warned that “Defaulters will nevertheless vacate their present office but will not take possession of their new locations until they have been cleared.”
There has been growing excitement in Ahiara Catholic Diocese since Saturday, March 10, 2018, when Most Rev. Ugorji attended the first holy mass to be celebrated at the cathedral in six years following the protracted crisis that ensued over the appointment of Bishop Ebere Peter Okpalaeke as the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara- Mbaise.
On Holy Thursday, the Church in Ahiara celebrated its first Chrism Mass in six years.
As the crisis lingered, the Church could not carry out some major activities, such as ordination of priests and others in the religious vocations and confirmation of church members.
Also the blessing of oil for the administration of sacraments in the church did not take place, neither did the priests and others in religious vocations renew their vows as the Chrism Mass could not hold without a bishop.
Nigerian Catholic Reporter
